Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Ethiopia (RATIFICATION: 1991)

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Previous comment

Articles 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. Suitably qualified staff. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that it has made efforts for a better inclusion of persons with disabilities, through the adoption of legal instruments which include national policies and reforms. The Committee notes, with interest, that the new Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 explicitly prohibits in the private sector discrimination based on disability (section 14(1)(b)). Moreover, the new Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019 allows organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities, to propose recommendations for the change or amendment of existing laws, policies or practices or issuance of new laws and policies, which relate to their activities (section 62(4)). The Government also indicates that the new Civil Servants Proclamation No. 1164/2018 proclaims rights for public servants with disabilities. The Government further recalls that the Right to Employment of Persons with Disabilities Proclamation No. 568/2008 gives much attention to the rights of women with disabilities and calls for both gender-based and disability-based affirmative actions. The Government specifies that it is also working toward a Disability Act. The Government declares that continuous awareness raising training programs on Proclamation No. 568/2008 resulted in a better implementation of the text. The Government indicates that the Federal Civil Service Commission, which is in charge of ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected in the public sector, has translated the proclamations and directives on the employment rights of persons with disabilities into braille and has made the translations available in public libraries. Based on Proclamation No. 568/2008, it has developed legal frameworks to increase the employability of persons with disabilities, such as a “national employment policy and strategy” and vehicle duty free directives. The Government has also adopted a ten-year educational roadmap which takes into consideration the inclusion and special educational needs of students with disabilities, at all levels of educations. The Government reiterates that there are different policies and manuals that provide guidance for the proper implementation throughout the country of inclusive vocational training. The Government adds that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs are inclusive of people with disabilities. The Government indicates that 43.85 per cent of TVET Institutes has been made accessible to people with disabilities. In addition, more than 20 TVET Institutes Resource Centres have been opened to help persons with disabilities continuing their technical and vocational training. In 2022, about 1,241 people with disability benefited from the TVET’s “short training”. The Government also provides statistics on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice. It indicates that, according to the 2021 Labour Force and Migration Survey (implemented by the Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)), the estimated number of economically active persons with disabilities are 437,582, of which 39,655 are unemployed, making the rate of unemployment 9.1 per cent. According to the above-mentioned survey, women with disabilities experience a greater unemployed rate compared to men with disabilities. The Government adds that, in 2016–22, the Federal Urban Job Creation and Food Security Agency has created jobs for 11,091 persons with disabilities, facilitated loans for 2,719 persons with disabilities, furnished offices and places of production and sale for 1,567 persons with disabilities and created market chain for 8,383 persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the report does not contain information on the results and lessons learnt following the expiry of the National Plan of Action of Persons with Disabilities 2012–21 and whether it has been decided to adopt another such plan for the next decade, with a view to effectively guarantee legal protection against disability-based discrimination, multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination faced by persons with disabilities and guarantee the effectiveness of legal remedies. Lastly, the Committee notes that pursuant to the latest data it has at its disposal from the report “Representation of Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopian Labour Force: A Review of National Surveys on Disability Statistics”, in 2013, the labour force participation rate for persons with disabilities was only 55.89 per cent while for those with no disability it was as high as 89.91 per cent. The Committee thus requests the Government to provide updated statistical information on the above and supply relevant new information on the measures and policies adopted to promote access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities.Italso requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of such measures. To allow the Committee to fully assess the impact of the measures taken, it requests the Government to include statistics disaggregated by sex, extracts from surveys, reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention. Moreover, noting with regret that, despite its request in that sense, the Government did not provide information on the measures taken to ensure the availability of suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff, the Committee reiterates its request in that regard.

Article 5. Consultation of the social partners. The Government indicates that several texts for the rights of persons with disabilities have been adopted with the active participation of organizations of persons with disabilities and after consultation of the Confederation of the Ethiopian Employers Federation (EEF) and of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU). The Government provides one example of such consultation: the Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD), and its constituting associations, actively participated to the adoption of the Ethiopia’s Ten Years Perspective Development Plan. The Government adds that its organs and ministries have also consulted with the FEAPD and its constituting associations in the framework of the development of their respective plan. The Government further indicates that it is supporting the establishment of organizations of persons with disabilities, both from a financial and technical perspective. For instance, in 2019–20, the Government has allocated 15 million Ethiopian birrs (ETB) to associations of persons with disabilities and organizations working on disability at the national level. Regional governments are also supporting associations of persons with disabilities in their respective jurisdictions. The Committee requests the Government to provide further details and concrete examples of consultations held with employers’ and workers’ organizations and organizations of and for persons with disabilities on the implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Services in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the rate of unemployment of persons with disabilities in rural areas and requests the Government to provide further information on the impact of the activities of the technical and vocational training centres in rural areas and remote communities.

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The Committee notes 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, 3, 4, 7 and 9 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. Suitably qualified staff. The Government indicates in its report that a 2011 directive was issued and sent to all legal entities for the effective implementation of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation No. 568/2008. The Government further indicates that persons with disabilities are not fully participating in employment or vocational rehabilitation measures and, consequently, the vast majority of persons with disabilities of working age remain unemployed. The Committee notes from the report that this low level of participation may be partially caused by the insufficient number of professionals providing assistance and services to persons with disabilities. The Committee further notes that the Government is currently the major employer of persons with disabilities. While being aware of a deficit in available accurate nationwide data, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs indicates that a total of 2,140 persons with disabilities (1,444 men and 696 women) were employed in government institutions in 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities and on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure the availability of suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff. Please also provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for example, statistics disaggregated by sex, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 5. Consultation of the social partners. The Government indicates that all policies, plans of action and directives have been developed with the active participation of organizations of persons with disabilities. Moreover, these organizations and their umbrella federations are included in a national monitoring committee. The Government further states that a national committee has been established which is comprised of most of the executive sectors and representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. In addition to the national committee, many Government institutions have recently developed participatory mechanisms in which all relevant stakeholders are invited to participate in planning, reporting and evaluating government policies and programmes. The Committee requests the Government to provide further details of the consultations held with employers’ and workers’ organizations and organizations of and for persons with disabilities on the implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Services in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that, while there are only few vocational training centres in rural areas which provide technical and vocational training for persons with disabilities, there are initiatives aimed at engaging persons with disabilities in small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, persons with disabilities are provided with start-up capital, market and credit services. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the impact of the activities of the technical and vocational training centres in rural areas and remote communities.

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Articles 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. Suitably qualified staff. The Government indicates in its report that a 2011 directive was issued and sent to all legal entities for the effective implementation of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation No. 568/2008. The Government further indicates that persons with disabilities are not fully participating in employment or vocational rehabilitation measures and, consequently, the vast majority of persons with disabilities of working age remain unemployed. The Committee notes from the report that this low level of participation may be partially caused by the insufficient number of professionals providing assistance and services to persons with disabilities. The Committee further notes that the Government is currently the major employer of persons with disabilities. While being aware of a deficit in available accurate nationwide data, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs indicates that a total of 2,140 persons with disabilities (1,444 men and 696 women) were employed in government institutions in 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities and on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure the availability of suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff. Please also provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for example, statistics disaggregated by sex, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 5. Consultation of the social partners. The Government indicates that all policies, plans of action and directives have been developed with the active participation of organizations of persons with disabilities. Moreover, these organizations and their umbrella federations are included in a national monitoring committee. The Government further states that a national committee has been established which is comprised of most of the executive sectors and representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. In addition to the national committee, many Government institutions have recently developed participatory mechanisms in which all relevant stakeholders are invited to participate in planning, reporting and evaluating government policies and programmes. The Committee requests the Government to provide further details of the consultations held with employers’ and workers’ organizations and organizations of and for persons with disabilities on the implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Services in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that, while there are only few vocational training centres in rural areas which provide technical and vocational training for persons with disabilities, there are initiatives aimed at engaging persons with disabilities in small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, persons with disabilities are provided with start-up capital, market and credit services. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the impact of the activities of the technical and vocational training centres in rural areas and remote communities.

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The Committee notes the Government’s brief replies received in February 2011, to the points raised in the 2005 direct request. The Committee notes with interest the adoption in 2008 of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation, No. 568/2008. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for example, statistics disaggregated by sex, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).

Article 2 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that legislation, policies and programmes effectively address vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. In this regard, the Committee notes the preamble of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation, which provides that it became necessary to enact a new law that complies with the country’s policy of equal employment opportunity, provides reasonable accommodation in employment for persons with disabilities and lays down simple procedural rules that enable them to prove before any judicial body discrimination encountered in employment. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the manner in which its policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities is implemented in practice.

Article 3. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market is done through sensitization workshops and electronic and print media. The Committee invites the Government to provide specific information on the impact of measures taken for promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

Article 4. Equality of opportunity and treatment. The Committee notes section 13 of Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No. 515/2007, which provides that, among other vulnerable categories of workers, preference should be given to persons with disabilities when meeting the required qualifications and obtaining equal or close scores to that of other candidates. However, the Committee also notes section 4(1) of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation which provides that a person with disabilities, having the necessary qualifications and scoring more than other candidates, shall have the right without any discrimination to employment or to participate in a training programme. It invites the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 13 of the Federal Civil Servants Proclamation and section 4(1) of the Right to Employment of Persons with Disability Proclamation, as well as detailed statistical data on jobseekers with disabilities employed following the adoption of these two abovementioned provisions.

Article 5. Consultation of the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Government indicates that the Labour Advisory Board oversees the issue of vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. It further reports that the organizations of persons with disabilities also participate in the process and are consulted. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report detailed examples in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Services available for persons with disabilities. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on the success of the services available for persons with disabilities in ensuring that these persons have as much access as possible to the labour market.

Article 8. Measures taken in rural areas. The Government indicates that persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities benefit from vocational rehabilitation and employment services through the technical and vocational training centres established in their vicinity. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the number of activities of the technical and vocational training centres in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Suitably qualified staff to provide services for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that orthopaedic technicians and physiotherapists are trained at different levels and deployed to provide assistance and services for persons with disabilities. The Government further indicates that there are ongoing efforts to train more technicians. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the availability of qualified vocational rehabilitation staff in all areas of the country.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information and the statistical data provided by the Government in its report received in September 2005. It invites the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

1. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes with interest the Ethiopia Country Profile prepared by the ILO in 2004 as part of its project “Employment of People with Disabilities – The Impact of Legislation”. It further notes that the Proclamation on rights of disabled persons to employment aims to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities to appropriate training, employment opportunities and salary, and to prevent any workplace discrimination. The Developmental Social Welfare Policy was developed in 1997 and specifically targets people with disabilities. It sets out to safeguard their rights and to promote opportunities for vocational rehabilitation. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to report on its effort in order to enable people with disabilities to fully participate in the open labour market. It asks the Government to regularly provide information on the manner in which the development social welfare policy has contributed to the vocational rehabilitation and the employment of persons with disabilities (Article 2 of the Convention).

2. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that measures to ensure special consideration which would enable persons with disabilities to better compete in the labour market have not been yet enacted. The Committee asks the Government to indicate, in its next report, measures taken or envisaged in order to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.

3. Consultation of the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Government indicates in its report that the Department of Rehabilitation Affairs coordinates the rehabilitation activities undertaken by the public bodies, the private firms and by organizations of and for persons with disabilities, through regular contacts and follow-ups. The Committee asks the Government to provide, in its next report, more detailed information on the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities, are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities (Article 5).

4. Services available for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous direct request and asks the Government to provide further information on the success of the special services in ensuring that persons with disabilities have as much access as possible to the labour market (Article 7).

5. Suitably qualified staff to provide services for persons with disabilities. Please also provide further information on the measures taken by the regional offices and the departments of labour and social affairs to ensure that services are provided in rural areas.

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The Committee notes the information and the statistical data provided by the Government in its report received in September 2005. It invites the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

1. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes with interest the Ethiopia Country Profile prepared by the ILO in 2004 as part of its project "Employment of People with Disabilities - The Impact of Legislation". It further notes that the Proclamation on rights of disabled persons to employment aims to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities to appropriate training, employment opportunities and salary, and to prevent any workplace discrimination. The Developmental Social Welfare Policy was developed in 1997 and specifically targets people with disabilities. It sets out to safeguard their rights and to promote opportunities for vocational rehabilitation. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to report on its effort in order to enable people with disabilities to fully participate in the open labour market. It asks the Government to regularly provide information on the manner in which the development social welfare policy has contributed to the vocational rehabilitation and the employment of persons with disabilities (Article 2 of the Convention).

2. Access to the open labour market for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that measures to ensure special consideration which would enable persons with disabilities to better compete in the labour market have not been yet enacted. The Committee asks the Government to indicate, in its next report, measures taken or envisaged in order to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.

3. Consultation of the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Government indicates in its report that the Department of Rehabilitation Affairs coordinates the rehabilitation activities undertaken by the public bodies, the private firms and by organizations of and for persons with disabilities, through regular contacts and follow-ups. The Committee asks the Government to provide, in its next report, more detailed information on the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities, are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities (Article 5).

4. Services available for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous direct request and asks the Government to provide further information on the success of the special services in ensuring that persons with disabilities have as much access as possible to the labour market (Article 7).

5. Suitably qualified staff to provide services for persons with disabilities. Please also provide further information on the measures taken by the regional offices and the departments of labour and social affairs to ensure that services are provided in rural areas.

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Article 2 of the Convention.  The Government states that the Proclamation on Rights of Disabled Persons to Employment, and the Social Policy and Development Social Welfare Policy contain provisions on the employment of disabled people. The Committee requests a copy of these documents.

Article 3.  The Government states that no measures have been enacted yet to ensure special consideration which would enable disabled persons to better compete in the labour market. However, it is doing as much as possible to provide vocational rehabilitation services. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on the success of such programmes in helping disabled people obtain employment, including statistics, as requested under Part V of the report form.

Article 5.  The Government’s report does not contain any indication of the manner in which representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations and of the disabled are consulted on policies and programmes pertaining to rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities. Please provide information on how consultation is ensured in practice.

Article 7.  The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there are special employment placement services for the disabled, and therefore the disabled do not have access to mainstream services. Please provide further information on the success of the special services in ensuring that disabled people have as much access as possible to the labour market.

Article 8.  The Government states that the regional offices and the departments of labour and social affairs are responsible for providing rehabilitation and employment services to rural areas. Please provide further information on the measures taken by these regional offices and departments to ensure that services are provided in rural areas.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its first report on the application of the Convention. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would communicate additional information on the following points:

Article 2 of the Convention. The Government indicates, while describing policy statements on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, that directives included in the Countries' National Development Plan provide for vocational training and employment opportunities for the disabled. It also states that a draft social policy has been prepared and submitted to the Government for approval. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply with its next report a copy of the directives referred to above, as well as a copy of the social policy document, as soon as it is adopted. Please also indicate the manner in which the national policy is implemented and periodically reviewed, in accordance with this Article.

Article 3. The Committee notes the Government's statement to the effect that no special measures to enable disabled persons to compete in the open labour market have yet been adopted. It recalls in this connection the provision of this Article, according to which the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons shall aim at promoting employment opportunities for such persons in the open labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will take appropriate measures to give full effect to this provision of the Convention. It would also like to draw the Government's attention to Paragraph 11(a) of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Recommendation, 1983 (No. 168), which provides guidelines for the application of this Article of the Convention.

Article 5. The Government refers in its report to regular contacts of the Rehabilitation Agency with organizations of disabled persons. Please indicate whether these organizations, as well as representative organizations of employers and workers, are consulted on the implementation of the national policy of vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons. Please also describe the manner in which the above-mentioned organizations are consulted on the matters referred to in this Article.

Article 7. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons provided by the Rehabilitation Agency and other specialized public and private organizations. Please indicate whether existing services for workers generally are also used, with necessary adaptations, to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. The Committee notes the information concerning the rural vocational rehabilitation project, which has been implemented on a pilot basis. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, whether any measures are taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in remote communities, as required by this Article.

Part V of the report form. The Government indicates that there is no statistical information available concerning the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee hopes that such information will be provided as soon as it is available and asks the Government to supply, with its next report, any relevant extracts from reports, studies and inquiries, concerning these matters (for example, with respect to particular areas or branches of activity or particular categories of disabled workers).

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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its first report on the application of the Convention. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would communicate additional information on the following points:

Article 2 of the Convention. The Government indicates, while describing policy statements on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, that directives included in the Countries' National Development Plan provide for vocational training and employment opportunities for the disabled. It also states that a draft social policy has been prepared and submitted to the Government for approval. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply with its next report a copy of the directives referred to above, as well as a copy of the social policy document, as soon as it is adopted. Please also indicate the manner in which the national policy is implemented and periodically reviewed, in accordance with this Article.

Article 3. The Committee notes the Government's statement to the effect that no special measures to enable disabled persons to compete in the open labour market have yet been adopted. It recalls in this connection the provision of this Article, according to which the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons shall aim at promoting employment opportunities for such persons in the open labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will take appropriate measures to give full effect to this provision of the Convention. It would also like to draw the Government's attention to Paragraph 11(a) of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Recommendation, 1983 (No. 168), which provides guidelines for the application of this Article of the Convention.

Article 5. The Government refers in its report to regular contacts of the Rehabilitation Agency with organizations of disabled persons. Please indicate whether these organizations, as well as representative organizations of employers and workers, are consulted on the implementation of the national policy of vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons. Please also describe the manner in which the above-mentioned organizations are consulted on the matters referred to in this Article.

Article 7. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons provided by the Rehabilitation Agency and other specialized public and private organizations. Please indicate whether existing services for workers generally are also used, with necessary adaptations, to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. The Committee notes the information concerning the rural vocational rehabilitation project, which has been implemented on a pilot basis. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, whether any measures are taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in remote communities, as required by this Article.

Point V of the report form. The Government indicates that there is no statistical information available concerning the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee hopes that such information will be provided as soon as it is available and asks the Government to supply, with its next report, any relevant extracts from reports, studies and inquiries, concerning these matters (for example, with respect to particular areas or branches of activity or particular categories of disabled workers).