In collaboration with UNESCO and the ILO, the Padang City Government hosted a Sixth High-Level Meeting of Mayors for Inclusive Cities on 27 September 2016. The meeting was aimed to pursue the development of Network of Mayors for Inclusive Cities as an active, purpose-driven, self-sustaining coalition to promote and spread the policies that advance the rights of people with disabilities.

Several municipalities from around Indonesia participated in the meeting including Ambon, Metro, Yogyakarta, Tanjung Balai, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Sungai Penuh, Tangerang Selatan, Tanjung Pinang, Sijunjung and Pariaman. These municipalities demonstrated their commitments in creating inclusive physical, social and economic environments for persons with disabilities.

Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Mayor of Padang, in his opening remarks, said that Padang city is one of the most advance city in Indonesia in regards to inclusiveness. The city has enacted a local regulation on disabilities in 2015, a year ahead of the issuance of the Law No. 8/2016. He also presented his government’s initiatives to fulfill and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in across sectors, such as education and employment.

“As a concrete practical example, the city of Padang will officially open its first disability-friendly area in Jalan Permindo, Padang, on 30 September 2016, as a model for the re-design of the other parts of the city in the future,” he stated.

From the employment perspective, the ILO presented a study commissioned by the University of Indonesia on Mapping Persons with Disabilities in Indonesia’s Labour Market. The study reveals that there is an urgent need to increase the labour force participation of people with disabilities. This need could be fulfilled by enlarging labour market for them.

The study recommends three steps that should be taken to enlarge the labour market for people with disabilities. The recommendations are as follows: 1) Establishment of formal channel to apply for jobs for people with disabilities; 2) Improvement of technology to assist people with disabilities; and 3) Disclosure of any job offer for people with disabilities to public.

Looking specifically into the employment sector, ILO continuously promotes the importance of decent work for all, including for people with disabilities. Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, stated that people with disabilities have the right for equal treatment and opportunity on employment, public facilities and other social aspects of life.

“Women and men with disabilities can and want to be productive members of society. However, only one out of five persons with disabilities who currently works and has a job. Productive and decent work enables people with disabilities to realize their aspirations, improve their living conditions and participate more actively in society,” said Francesco, adding that the Government of Indonesia together with relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, should work together in empowering people with disabilities in the world of work.

The meeting was conducted under the UN partnership programme to promote rights of people with disabilities in Indonesia named UNPRPD programme involving the cooperation between UNESCO, ILO and WHO. The programme aims to adopt advance policies on rights of people with disabilities promoted through stronger disability institution and improved disability data collection. The UNPRPD is supported by the UN Partnership to promote
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Donor Trust Fund.