Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

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

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the review and implementation of the national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour has, within the Equal Opportunities Directorate, a unit for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that, on 3 December 2016, Decree No. 363-16 adopted the implementing regulations of the Basic Act on Disability (Act No. 5-13), and that both the unit for persons with disabilities and the National Employment Service (SENAE) are in the process of establishing mechanisms for these regulations. The Committee also notes that the Office of the First Lady of the Republic, since 2015, has been actively contributing to the formulation of policies for the comprehensive development of boys and girls with disabilities and that, along with other government bodies and civil institutions, within the framework of the Advisory Board for Childhood and Young Persons, proposals were formulated to improve the situation of this disadvantaged group and presented to the Comprehensive Care Centre for Disability (CAID). Regarding the application of the national policy for persons with disabilities, the Committee notes that the SENAE, in collaboration with the Ibero-American Network of Organizations for Persons with Physical Disabilities and with the support of the British Embassy, has provided training courses, within the framework of the project for the promotion of the rights of young people with disabilities to work in equal conditions, with a view to promoting the labour market integration of persons with disabilities in low-income neighbourhoods of Santo Domingo. The Government adds that the Vocational Workshop of Santo Domingo trains persons with disabilities in crafts. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the impact of Act No. 5-13 on the integration of persons with disabilities. It also requests the Government to provide statistical information, disaggregated by age and gender, on the impact of the programmes for persons with disabilities. Lastly, it requests the Government to communicate the results of the consultations held within the Advisory Board for Childhood and Young Persons and their practical outcome.

Article 5. Consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the Government’s reply indicating that, for the preparation of the Strategic Plan of the Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination in Work Directorate, three consultations were held with the social partners and that the proposals put forward during these consultations were considered when formulating the national employment policy for persons with disabilities. The Government also refers to the Tripartite Commission for Equal Opportunities and Non-discrimination, in which relevant issues concerning equality of opportunity in access to employment and continued employment are addressed. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the operation of the Tripartite Commission for Equal Opportunities and Non-discrimination, in particular on the action taken to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the consultations held with the representative organizations of workers and employers and the organizations which represent persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Services in rural areas. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas.