Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

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

Articles 3, 4 and 6 of the Convention Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates in its report that a review was undertaken to merge the existing disability-related laws, including the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) Act of 1994, into one single law to remedy the lack of cohesiveness and consistency. The Government adds that, besides creating a sound legal framework, this review and the formulation of the Disability Decree have contributed significantly to the capacity building of the FNCDP. The Committee notes that, overseen by the FNCDP and supported by ministries and other stakeholders, the National Policy on Persons Living with Disabilities 2008–18 continues to be implemented. It also notes the information provided by the Government on scholarships offered to young persons with disabilities to provide them with the necessary skills to find employment in the open labour market. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the National Policy on Persons Living with Disabilities 2008–18 and its results with regard to the integration of persons with disabilities in the open labour market. Please also include statistics, disaggregated by sex, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries, as well, as court decisions concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 5. Consultation of the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Government indicates that it has conducted extensive consultations with workers’ organizations and other relevant stakeholders with respect to the formulation of the Disability Decree that is to be endorsed by the Cabinet before being tabled to Parliament. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with representative organizations of employers and workers and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities with respect to the review of the FNCDP Act of 1994, the Disability Decree and on other matters covered by the Convention.

Article 7. Providing and evaluating vocational training and related services. The Government indicates that the Fiji Vocational Training Centre for People with Disabilities (FVTTCPD) has provided vocational training to more than 1,000 individuals since the 1980s. A high percentage of individuals that obtained training have transitioned to the workforce, self-employment or furthered their education in the information and technology sectors. In 2013, 14 persons with disabilities that had been trained in carpentry and joinery found employment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the FVTTCPD to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Availability of services in rural and remote areas. The Government indicates that, while in the Western Division (Ba) a rehabilitation home has been in existence for a decade, a Disability Complex was opened in 2011 in the Northern Division (Labasa). Both facilities help persons with disabilities acquire skills and techniques to be able to find employment in the open labour market. Operating under the Ministry of Employment, in 2015 the National Employment Centre carried out community awareness events and registrations in 28 rural areas in Fiji. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the 2015 campaign of the National Employment Centre and on other measures aimed at establishing and developing employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. The Government indicates that, due to scarce human resources, no progress has been made to ensure the availability of suitable qualified vocational rehabilitation staff. It adds that there is a need for assistance in recruiting and providing professional training of staff. The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to ensure the availability of suitable qualified vocational rehabilitation staff.