Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Lebanon (Ratification: 2000)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2009 in reply to the 2004 direct request. The Government indicates that the Committee for the Promotion of the Rights at Work of Persons with Disabilities has prepared a draft study entitled “Measures to enable each person with disabilities to exercise a liberal profession or self-employment”. The study is intended to help persons with disabilities to establish and manage micro activities in production and services which are economically feasible and which therefore guarantee them work opportunities, financial independence, a decent living standard and improved vocational integration. The Government reports the adoption of Decision No. 45-2006 of 26 May 2006 establishing a commission to prepare a draft decree to give effect to section 74 of Act No. 220 of 29 May 2000, which provides that a certain percentage of jobs shall be reserved for persons with disabilities in the private sector. A draft decree to give effect to section 74 of Act No. 220 of 29 May 2000 has been prepared and forwarded to the Council of Ministers. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report whether the study and the Decree referred to above have been implemented and the results of their application in terms of promoting the employment of persons with disabilities. It requests the Government to provide specific practical information, such as statistical data, extracts from reports, studies or surveys on matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).

Article 4. Equality of opportunity and treatment. The Government indicates that the commission responsible for the study and the follow-up of international labour Conventions has engaged in dialogue with the competent authorities responsible for recruitment in the public service with a view to confirming the provisions and principles contained in Act No. 220 of 29 May 2000. The Government adds that the Ministry of Labour pays specific attention to the rights at work of persons with disabilities and that, accordingly, it is requesting ILO technical assistance with a view to taking additional measures for the achievement of effective equality of opportunity and treatment between workers with disabilities and workers generally. The Committee invites the Government to provide additional information on the special affirmative measures adopted to guarantee effective equality of opportunity and treatment between workers with disabilities and other workers, as well as detailed statistical data on the employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Government refers in its report to the work of the Committee for the Promotion of the Rights at Work of Persons with Disabilities. The Government adds that the Ministry of Social Affairs is also authorized to receive complaints made by persons with disabilities encountering difficulties in their work. It helps them with vocational guidance in coordination with public and private sector enterprises and participates in the meetings of the Committee for the Promotion of the Rights at Work of Persons with Disabilities. The Committee notes the conditions of entitlement required for granting loans and the financing institutions through which applications for loans may be made. Moreover, associations and banks have granted loans under favourable conditions to persons with disabilities to enable them to start up projects. The Committee invites the Government to provide additional information on the various vocational guidance, vocational training, placement, employment and other related services intended to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 9. Suitably qualified staff. The Committee notes that the Government has requested ILO technical assistance to give effect to the provisions of Article 9 of the Convention. It invites the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in giving effect to the provisions of Article 9 of the Convention.