A new study from the International Labour Office finds discrimination in the workplace is rampant and that new forms are emerging. In Eastern Europe, unemployment rates are particularly high for the disabled and are a particular cause for concern, as ILO TV reports.

An International Labour Organization report found that unemployment rates for the disabled rose sharply in Eastern Europe in the 1990s due to recession and economic restructuring. Discrimination is a problem. In the Soviet era, disabled people were kept in institutions.

One campaigner for the rights of disabled people is Valeriy Sushkevych. He’s also a member of parliament.

Valeriy Sushkevych, Member of Ukrainian Parliament

"When I came to our parliament, it was about 6 years ago, security, when look at my pin, said, oh no, no no, - disabled people in parliament? That’s not possible.”

Increasing numbers of people are registered as disabled, but attitudes are slow to change.

Many people with disability, think that (it’s history, that) I must sit in the flat, close the door.

The few disabled people who do manage to get a job work hard to prove themselves. Larisa Bernardina employs around eighty disabled workers in her manufacturing firm.

Many people with disability, think that (it’s history, that) I must sit in the flat, close the door.

The few disabled people who do manage to get a job work hard to prove themselves. Larisa Bernardina employs around eighty disabled workers in her manufacturing firm.

Larisa Bernardina, entrepreneur

Of course, I advise other entrepreneurs to hire disabled people. Because disabled people try to save their job and do everything the best.

The ILO report, “Time for Equality at Work”, finds that disabled people are discriminated against in the workplace because they don’t get the same opportunities for education and training. The Ukrainian government has built a new centre for vocational training. But it’s in an isolated area. The ILO provided transport to make it more accessible. It equipped a computer room - IT can open doors for disabled people.