Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

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

Article 2 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee noted in its previous observation that a consultative process had led to the formulation of a draft policy on persons with disabilities, which was under consideration by the stakeholders. The Government indicates in its report that the process of adopting a national policy on persons with disabilities has not been concluded. Consultations in relation to this policy are being conducted by the National Disability Board. The Committee trusts that a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities will soon be adopted and requests the Government to provide detailed information in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to provide statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 3. Promotion of employment opportunities in the open labour market. The Committee notes that a quota system proposed in the draft national policy for the employment of persons with disabilities has not yet been implemented. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the implementation of a quota system to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the labour market. Please also provide information on other measures that are available for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

Article 4. Equal opportunity and treatment. The Government indicates that section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act empowers the National Disability Board responsible to issue adjustment orders for buildings to be accessible to persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on positive measures aimed at ensuring equality of opportunity and treatment between persons with disabilities, whether women or men, and other workers.

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. The Committee notes that, to facilitate the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in the public sector, the Government provides personal assistance to public sector workers with disabilities, as is the case with visually impaired workers. In addition, the Government established a revolving loan facility for persons with disabilities who graduate from vocational training centres. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the existing services or implemented strategies aimed at helping persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that district social welfare offices across the country provide information concerning vocational rehabilitation and employment services, and district employment services offices conduct career guidance fairs. The Government further indicates that persons with disabilities living in rural areas who require services from rehabilitation centres receive warrants for the use of buses to facilitate their travel. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to promote the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities living in rural areas.

Article 9. Training of staff responsible for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that staff at rehabilitation centres undergo both tertiary and on-the-job training. It also indicates that social workers at social welfare offices receive training in psychosocial support and communication with persons with disabilities and that other staff members undertake vocational rehabilitation skills-transfer programmes. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the training programmes offered to staff responsible for the vocational guidance, training and placement of persons with disabilities.