Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Chile (Ratification: 1994)

Articles 2–4 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. Special positive measures. The Government indicates in its report that, with regard to vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities, the Government Plan 2014–18 aims to reinforce the system of employment placement for such persons and promote an inclusive approach in the regular programmes provided by the National Training and Employment Service (SENCE), the Solidarity and Social Investment Fund (FOSIS) and the Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC).

The Committee notes that the National Service for Disability (SENADIS) is striving for inclusivity in the employment placement procedures proposed by the municipal labour information offices and is collaborating with the Under Secretariat of Economics to train small enterprises in the development of productive strategies that integrate persons with disabilities. Individuals with intellectual disabilities can work in protected workshops sponsored by SENADIS. Since 2012, SENADIS has rewarded entities that engage in positive actions for inclusion with the “Chilean Stamp of Inclusion”.

The Committee notes the adoption of recruitment directive No. 17 of 2014 of the Ministry of Budgetary Affairs, which establishes instructions for carrying out public recruitment which is inclusive and promotes equal opportunities in the public market. It also notes the implementation of the Más Capaz comprehensive vocational training programme, whose objectives include the training of 20,000 persons with disabilities. The Government refers to the possibility of legislative reforms to ensure equal pay for workers with or without disabilities, and also to the establishment of a 2 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities in enterprises employing more than 50 workers. The Government emphasizes that the policies implemented do not differentiate with regard to the origin of a disability and take account of the particular features of each area.

The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the steps taken or contemplated to integrate persons with disabilities into the open labour market. The Committee also requests the Government to include disaggregated statistical information on the employment situation of persons with disabilities.

Article 5. Consultations. The Committee notes that Decree No. 141 has been in force since 12 May 2011, establishing standards relating to the operation of the Disability Advisory Council within the National Disability Service (SND). The Council comprises five representatives of persons with disabilities, one representative of the employers, one representative from the workers’ organizations and two representatives from private not-for-profit institutions. The Government indicates that there are also councils from civil society – autonomous entities for public participation comprising civil organizations related to the activities of the SND – which gather the opinions of organizations and individuals living with disabilities in the various regions for submission to the Disability Advisory Council for consideration. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the Disability Advisory Council within the SND, including examples of the activities of civil society councils in relation to the matters covered by the Convention.