Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee notes the information sent by the Government in response to its previous direct request. It observes, however, that it is still not possible to assess fully, from the information supplied, the effect given to the following provisions of the Convention on which it made comments.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee recalls that, under the second part of the Convention (Articles 2 to 5), the Government is required to lay down principles of vocational rehabilitation and employment policies for disabled persons. It accordingly asks the Government to provide information on any policy formulated and implemented to this end and to specify the role of the National Board for Disabled Persons or other government bodies having responsibility in this area.

Article 3. The Government indicates that the measures implemented in the three national rehabilitation centres (Ruwa, Beatrice and Lowden) assist disabled persons to get attachments in industries and to find jobs. Please continue to describe the measures and services for the promotion of employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market, indicating the courses provided in the rehabilitation centres, the total number of participants, the number of trainees who have subsequently found suitable employment, developments and participation level, etc.

Article 4. The Committee notes that section 9 of the Disabled Persons Act establishes the principle of non-discrimination in employment. Section 9(2), however, lists the instances in which employers are not deemed to discriminate against disabled persons. The Government is asked to indicate, for example by referring to relevant court decisions, in what circumstances section 9(2) is relied on, particularly where the disability is relevant to the requirements of the job (9(2)(b)), and any restrictions on its application.

The Government is also asked to describe any special affirmative measures applied to ensure equal opportunities and treatment between disabled workers (male and female) and other workers.

Article 7. The Committee notes from the Government’s information that the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare are responsible for vocational training. The Committee would appreciate a detailed description of the various vocational guidance, vocational training, placement and employment services that enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment. Please state whether these services are provided in the three national rehabilitation centres specifically or whether they exist for workers generally, indicating what adaptations have been necessary.

Article 8. The Government indicates that it is still in the process of developing vocational rehabilitation in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee trusts that the next report will indicate the progress made in this area.

Article 9. The Committee notes that the staff and instructors of the rehabilitation centres are government employees and are suitably qualified. It asks the Government to provide more specific information on the nature of the training and the numbers of the staff in charge of the vocational guidance, vocational training, placement and employment of disabled persons.

Part V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for example, statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.