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

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Mauritius (Ratification: 2004)

Vocational rehabilitation and employment policies. Equality of opportunity and treatment. The Committee takes note of the report received in August 2014 indicating that most of the recommendations contained in the Policy Paper and Action Plan on Disability have been implemented, that the formulation of a new Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2014–24 is currently in process, and that a national database on disability is partially operational. The Training and Employment of Disabled Persons (Amendment) Act of 2012 has been passed, which includes, among others, notions such as “physical disfigurement” and “prejudices” impeding participation at an equal level with other members of society; and extends the functions of the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board (TEDPB) to include the education and sensitization of employers on the importance of employing persons with disabilities and contribute to remove barriers or prejudices with regard to their employment. The Committee also notes that the Equal Opportunities Act 2008 came into effect in January 2012. The Government indicates that, during the period under review, the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) and the TEDPB have conducted four joint training programmes, for a total duration of 500 hours, which were attended by 40 participants. In addition, the Mauritius Employers Federation (MEF), the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) and the TEDPB have embarked for three consecutive years (2011–13) on a project entitled “Office and IT skills training programme for persons with disabilities”. The training offered had a total duration of 170 hours and benefited 40 persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that, between January 2013 and July 2014, 155 persons with disabilities have been placed in employment. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the developments of the Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2014–24 and to continue to report on the measures taken in cooperation with the social partners in the context of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, with specific reference to educational and training opportunities, both in the public and private sectors. It also invites the Government to continue to supply information on the measures taken to evaluate vocational guidance, training, placement, employment and other related services to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment and provide any statistics, studies or surveys on the matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).