Background and general project information

In October 2011, Indonesia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The ratification of the UN convention, which promotes the equal treatment of disabled people, is an important step towards improving rights for persons with disabilities. People with disabilities are recognized as among the most vulnerable groups in Indonesia, facing discrimination in access to such as education, skills training and, employment.

Meanwhile, companies as job creators are continuously seeking ways to get a full access to talent and be responsive to the communities in which they operate in order to compete in a highly competitive, global marketplace. Based on the recent July 2015’s Forbes magazine’s article, top enterprises have found untapped human resource – people with disabilities. Many of these companies are learning that people with disabilities are productive and that they bring many benefits to the workplace. They also shape a more authentic, loyal and creative culture.

Building on the experiences of companies employing persons with disabilities, hiring disabled persons or retaining those who become injured on the job makes good business sense on many levels. Research and company experiences demonstrate that when disabled workers are integrated into the workplace, the productivity of all workers often rises. Teamwork is enhanced, and real cost savings are realized in terms of reduced turnover, recruitment and retraining costs. Disabled employees can help companies identify and develop services or products for an often forgotten market segment – people with disabilities and their families and friends.

ILO-PROPEL (Promoting Rights and Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Employment through Legislation) in collaboration with the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower will organize a forum dedicated for the employers to discuss and share experiences on tapping the market and talent pool of persons with disabilities. ILO Senior Disability Specialist and 2 (two) representatives from international companies (tbc) along with representatives from national companies will be resource persons for this forum. This forum will be held on Tuesday, 1 December 2015.

The main objective of the forum is to enhance the employability and employment of women and men with disabilities in the private and public sector.

Objectives

• To increase awareness and understanding of state-owned enterprises and private companies on the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities
• To identify companies’ interest in developing and promoting a national network on disability inclusion;
• To offer improved networking opportunities for better collaboration among companies in Indonesia