Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Burkina Faso (Ratification: 1989)

1. Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports received in September and November 2007, and the attached documents. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that the unequal results of the action taken, both by the Government and by private institutions, led to the formulation in April 2001 of a policy based on the integration of all the needs and activities of persons with disabilities in the education, health, vocational training and employment sectors, and integration of persons with disabilities in their family environment. The Committee notes that a programme was adopted in April 2001 for the implementation of this national policy for the rehabilitation and equality of opportunity of persons with disabilities. It notes with interest that the objectives for 2006 set by the programme include “applying Convention No. 159, developing the activities of training and production centres and workshops for persons with disabilities and promoting integrated action for the integration (training–employment) in rural areas and employment of persons with disabilities”. The Government indicates that, while awaiting the implementation of this policy, the texts of laws and regulations have been adopted and that measures have been taken to promote self-employment for persons with disabilities. In this respect, the Informal Sector Support Fund (FASI) has been established which has made it possible for 228 persons with disabilities to benefit from credit facilities for investment up to a total of 98,590,000 francs. The Government also refers to the establishment of the Multi-Sectoral Committee for the Rehabilitation and Equal of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (COMUREC/Handicap), which is composed of representatives of the Government, organizations of persons with disabilities, technical partners and representatives of religious and customary associations. The Committee notes that the responsibilities of COMUREC/Handicap include ensuring the coordination, follow-up and evaluation of the actions taken for persons with disabilities by the various ministries (section 3 of Joint Order No. 2006/06/001/MASS/MS). The Committee trusts that the national policy of vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities will be implemented in the near future and that the Government will be in a position to indicate the progress achieved in this respect in its next report. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken, particularly in relation to vocational guidance and training, as well as employment placement, with a view to promoting the employment opportunities of persons with disabilities on the open labour market. Please also continue to provide information on the manner in which representative organizations of employers and workers, as well as organizations of and for persons with disabilities, are consulted in practice, particularly in the context of COMUREC/Handicap, on the implementation of this national policy.

2. Article 4. Equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women workers with disabilities and other workers. The Government indicates that no discrimination is allowed in the public administration or in recruitment for jobs in the public service. The Committee notes that the working conditions in vacancies that are put up for competition may often constitute factors limiting the recruitment of persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the special positive measures taken with a view to guaranteeing effective equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women workers with disabilities and other workers.

3. Article 7. Evaluation and adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that in practice the state services do not have specific structures for the promotion of persons with disabilities and that they are not fully adapted to their vocational training needs, but that private action has resulted in the construction of a number of training centres for persons with disabilities. The Government adds that, with the Programme for the implementation of the national policy for rehabilitation and equality of opportunities and the policies that are being prepared, it will be possible to formalize and periodically evaluate the content of the services provided for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the evaluations undertaken and the adaptations proposed, adopted or envisaged so as to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

4. Article 8. Rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that the whole of the national territory is covered by the implementation of the national policy for persons with disabilities, and that rural areas are therefore covered. It refers in this respect to the various associations of persons with disabilities and private bodies established and carrying out initiatives to provide education and vocational training to persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities, with an indication of the rural areas in which these services have been established, as well as particulars on its activities.

5. Article 9. Availability of qualified staff for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that one of the difficulties in the training of persons with disabilities is the lack of qualified trainers, but that the implementation of the national programme for rehabilitation and equal of opportunities for persons with disabilities will provide the occasion to remedy this problem. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures implemented, particularly in the context of the national programme of vocational rehabilitation and equal of opportunities for persons with disabilities, with a view to ensuring that suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff are made available to the persons concerned.

6. Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the provisions of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that the National Programme of Vocational Rehabilitation and Equal Opportunities of April 2001 indicated that the scope and gravity of the situation of those who suffer from a disability is still not widely recognized due to the inadequacy of qualitative and quantitative studies at the national level. The Government indicates that the prolonged absence of a specific state policy for the promotion of persons with disabilities has not allowed the collection of statistical data, even though persons with disabilities are employed in many fields of occupational activity. The Committee trusts that the Government will be in a position in its next report to provide updated and relevant information on the application of the Convention in practice and that it will provide statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.