Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1988)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Organic Law on Disabilities, which came into force in 2012. Section 45 of the Law establishes the right of persons with disabilities to paid employment under equal conditions and to non-discrimination in employment practices. Section 47 of the Law provides that, where public or private enterprises employ over 25 workers, persons with disabilities must account for at least 4 per cent of the workforce and they must be employed on a permanent basis in work considered appropriate to their knowledge, physical condition and individual abilities, in line with the principles of gender equality and diversity of disability. The Committee also notes the adoption of the Regulations implementing the Organic Law on Disabilities, which have been in force since 2013. The Government provides information on the project for placing persons with disabilities in formal jobs and on affirmative actions that involve increasing the percentage of persons with disabilities applying for public sector jobs. The Government indicates that 56,450 persons with disabilities were placed in employment during the 2007–13 period. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, including information disaggregated by age, sex and the nature of the disability.

Article 5. Consultation. The Committee notes that the Organic Law on Disabilities has established the National Council for Disability Equality as a public institution, whose mandate includes the formulation of public policies and strategies for the social integration of persons with disabilities. The Council is composed of representatives of the State and civil society, the latter being elected by the Council for Civic Participation through a merit-based competition. The Committee invites the Government to supply detailed information on the manner in which the representative organizations of employers and workers are consulted with regard to the measures taken to promote cooperation and coordination between the public and private bodies engaged in vocational rehabilitation activities.