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

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Finland (Ratification: 1985)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (AKAVA) which were communicated with the Government’s report.

Articles 3 and 7 of the Convention. Promotion of vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government provides in its report information on the laws and regulations that were amended since its last report and information on the practical application of the Convention. The Committee notes in this regard that recipients of vocational rehabilitation increased from 13,389 persons with reduced working capacity in 2011 to 15,178 in 2014. It also notes that the number of job placements for jobseekers with disabilities by the public employment service and active labour market measures arranged by the labour administration, decreased from 39,392 in 2010 (out of 91,433 jobseekers) to 24,881 in 2014 (out of 86,992 jobseekers). In their joint observations, the SAK and AKAVA indicate that, currently, persons with disabilities in Finland do not have equal opportunities of employment in the open labour market. For example, some people on partial disability pension cannot work even though they would want to. The SAK and AKAVA add that there are also problems in the availability of vocational rehabilitation as it is substantially weakened by the fragmentation of the rehabilitation system. The workers’ organizations are also of the view that the tool range of vocational rehabilitation should be widened to better answer to the needs of the rehabilitated person, such as the disability or illness limiting the work capacity, or the remaining work capacity. Moreover, the SAK and AKAVA refer to a 2011 report of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health entitled “Everybody along! People With Partial Work Capacity In The Labour Market”. According to this report, based on the replies of employers, it seems that those with a disability, and especially the mentally disabled and impaired, are the least wanted in the labour market when compared to a young person without a vocational education, a long-term unemployed person or an immigrant. As to working and coping at work, no related negative views were expressed. Three out of five employers stated that the employees on the marginal area of the labour market do not have problems as such with others, and that they are committed to their work. Over half of the employers estimated that special arrangements are problematic and the risk of working incapacity is greater. Overall, the evaluation of qualification was seen as a problem, and employment was suspected to be inefficient relative to its costs. The Committee notes that the Programme for persons with partial work capacity of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2013–15) aims to develop working solutions with practical level actors for finding employment for those with partial work capacity and helping them remain employed. The Government indicates that Finland has a wide range of tools in its service system to enable sustained employment and facilitate job placement of a person with a partial working capacity. The Government adds, however, that this range of tools is not utilized effectively enough. Vocational rehabilitation measures are part of this range of tools. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact and effectiveness of the measures implemented in the context of its policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Please also continue to include relevant information, supported by statistics, on the implementation of the Convention.