Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1987)

Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Implementation of vocational rehabilitation and employment policies for persons with disabilities. The Government refers in its report to five vocational rehabilitation schemes which continued to be implemented during 2020 and 2021. Three of the five schemes are targeted directly at persons with disabilities: the Supported Employment Scheme; the Small Units for Entrepreneurship Scheme; and the Vocational Training Scheme. The additional two schemes target persons with disabilities indirectly through their organizations: the Scheme for the subsidization of Organizations for Vocational Training Programs for Person with disabilities and the Scheme for the subsidization of Organizations for Vocational Training Programs for Disability Professionals. The Government adds that, in implementing all five schemes, the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is always in contact and in consultation with the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (CCOD). The Committee notes with interest that, during the reporting period: (i) the Supported Employment Scheme financed 370 persons with disabilities to enable them to receive coaching support while employed in the open labour market; (ii) the Small Units for Entrepreneurship Scheme granted subsidies to 48 persons with disabilities to enable them to start their own small enterprises; and (iii) the Vocational Training Scheme provided services to assist 41 persons with disabilities to improve their vocational skills. The Government further indicates that, pursuant to the quota system established under Law No. 146(I)/2009 for the hiring of persons with disabilities in the public sector, 119 persons with disabilities were hired between 2014 and 2019, an increase from 83 persons with disabilities hired pursuant to the quota system between 2009 and 2013. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, including information on the nature, scope and impact of the vocational rehabilitation schemes being implemented by the Department of Social Inclusion. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether it provides technical assistance, including entrepreneurship and financial management training, to small enterprises created by persons with disabilities. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the implementation of Law No. 146(I)/2009, as well as any other practical information on matters relating to the manner in which the Convention is applied.