Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Lebanon (Ratification: 2000)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the study entitled “Measures to enable each person with disabilities to exercise a liberal profession or self-employment” could not be completed because of the economic, political and security situation in Lebanon. With regard to measures taken to promote the employment of persons with disabilities, the Committee recalls that sections 73 and 74 of the Act No. 220 of 29 May 2000 provide that three per cent of jobs shall be reserved for persons with disabilities in the public and private sectors (for enterprises that employ more than 60 individuals). In this regard, the Government indicates that the draft decree intended to give effect to section 74 of the Act No. 220/2000 has been forwarded to the Council of Ministers for promulgation. The Committee notes that the above-mentioned draft decree has been under consideration by the Council of Ministers since 2009. It further notes that, in its concluding observations of October 2016, the United Nations Economic and Social Council expressed concern that 80 per cent of persons with disabilities in Lebanon were not or had never been employed and that the employment quota introduced by Act No. 220/2000 was not enforced. While acknowledging the difficult situation prevailing in the country, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures provided for in Act No. 220/2000 as well as on the manner in which compliance with the quota system established in the Act is ensured. It also requests the Government to communicate information on any developments regarding the status of the draft decree. The Government is further requested to transmit specific practical information on the application of the Convention, such as statistical data, extracts from reports and studies on matters covered by the Convention.

Article 4. Equality of opportunity and treatment. In reply to its previous comments, the Government indicates that Lebanese law forbids discrimination, that persons with disabilities who succeed in competitions for public posts through the Civil Service Board are given priority and that the competition hierarchy has been set aside to ensure the appointment of successful candidates with disabilities. To ensure equal access to employment for persons with disabilities, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the measures contained in Paragraph 11 of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Recommendation, 1983 (No. 168), which provides guidance for the establishment of positive measures. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the positive measures adopted to ensure equal access to education and training to persons with disabilities, and to ensure the right of persons with disabilities to gain a living by work that they freely choose and accept.

Article 7. Services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the private sector associations and enterprises successfully employ persons with disabilities. Concerning the public sector, the Government indicates that it provides financial support to some protected jobs. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, including statistical data, on the measures implemented by the private and the public sectors to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment. It also requests the Government to provide further information about the nature and scope of the protected jobs for persons with disabilities in the public sector.

Article 9. Suitably trained and qualified staff. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that the Department of Disability Affairs within the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Persons with Disabilities Department within the National Employment Office are staffed by competent and experienced personnel, but that they currently lack the necessary financial resources due to the situation of Lebanon and the surrounding region. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation prevailing on the ground, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the services available in terms of rehabilitation, vocational guidance, vocational training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities. It also requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which cooperation and coordination between the Department of Disability Affairs and the Persons with Disability Department is ensured.