Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Sao Tome and Principe (Ratification: 1992)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy for the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide the text of the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities and to provide information on the provisions of the Labour Code directly related to the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities. In this respect, the Committee notes with interest the entry into force of the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities No. 7/2012. In particular, it notes that section 17 establishes the obligation of the State, inter alia, to guarantee the right to work of persons with disabilities and develop measures with all government institutions at all levels to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment for persons with disabilities. It also notes that section 27 states that the Government shall give priority to the formulation of a policy on employment, vocational training and social security for persons with disabilities. Under this provision, the government body responsible for implementing the policy on employment and vocational training for persons with disabilities is obliged, inter alia, to: (i) develop special programmes with a view to promoting self-employment; (ii) implement the Initial Employment Act; (iii) ensure quality vocational training for persons with disabilities; (iv) adapt posts for persons with disabilities; (v) provide vocational training for persons with disabilities in vocational training centres, vocational rehabilitation centres and similar and related institutions; and (vi) guarantee mandatory social protection for all persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Basic Act on Social Protection. The Committee further notes that the second paragraph of section 27 establishes a quota system for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public and private sectors. The Government reports that progress has been observed in the past few years thanks to the adoption of Act No. 7/2012, particularly in relation to the construction of access ramps for persons with disabilities, as all new buildings have been required to have such ramps since the Act entered into force. Moreover, the Government adds that persons with disabilities have their own association through which they can assert their rights. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific and detailed information on the application of the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities No. 7/2012, indicating the government body responsible for implementing the policy on employment and vocational training for persons with disabilities, and the impact of the Act on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the open labour market. The Committee also requests the Government to provide statistical data on the labour market integration of persons with disabilities, disaggregated, where possible, by sex, age, type of disability, economic sector and region. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the national employment policy once it has been adopted.

Article 5. Consultations with the social partners. The Government indicates that its report was forwarded to the representative organizations of employers and workers, which agreed with the content. However, the Government does not provide additional information on the consultations with the social partners required under Article 5. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the social partners have been consulted in the formulation and implementation of a national policy for the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, and to provide information on the consultations held with the organizations of and for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Accessible employment services for persons with disabilities. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on employment, vocational guidance and vocational training services designed to enable persons with disabilities to have access to and advance in employment. The Government states that both the Constitution and Act No. 7/2012 require all educational establishments to provide education to persons with disabilities. The Government adds that all the existing vocational training centres in the country have their own structures and that the persons who use their services receive, without any discrimination, vocational rehabilitation. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the number and geographical distribution in the country of employment services available to persons with disabilities, as well as the results of the vocational guidance and vocational training measures that have been adopted to enable persons with disabilities to have access to and advance in employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data in this respect, disaggregated, where possible, by sex and age.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information in this regard. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the employment, vocational guidance and vocational training services made available to persons with disabilities living in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of staff qualified. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information in this regard. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to ensure the availability of qualified vocational rehabilitation staff.

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

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. Consultation. The Government indicates that the Basic Act for persons with disabilities, Act No. 7/12, has been enacted and published, and includes the text of two of its provisions in its report. The Committee notes that the objective of the Basic Act is to promote equality of rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities and that it establishes the fundamental principles to be followed by the rehabilitation policy. The Committee also notes that provisions on persons with disabilities have been included in a new draft Labour Code. The Committee requests the Government to provide the full text of the Basic Act for persons with disabilities and to provide information on the provisions in the Labour Code, once adopted, that are directly related to the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous comments and requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved by the measures adopted for the integration of persons with disabilities into the open labour market. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on vocational guidance, vocational training and employment services designed to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment (Article 7), the services available to persons with disabilities living in rural areas and remote communities (Article 8), and the measures concretely adopted to ensure the availability of qualified staff for vocational rehabilitation (Article 9). Please also provide information on the participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of a national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2016.]

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. Consultation of the social partners and other organizations concerned. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in April 2013 which, in reply to the comments which the Committee has been making for a number of years, states that there is no policy for recruiting persons with disabilities. The Government refers to the provisions of Act No. 6/92 of 20 March 1992 establishing the system of individual conditions of work for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the measures taken to formulate and implement a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee also invites the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held with the social partners and organizations concerned.

ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates that a large number of persons with disabilities are unemployed, many because they are demotivated and others because they lack opportunities. In this regard, the Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88). In view of the difficulties observed since the ratification of the Convention, the Committee notes that technical assistance would be particularly useful to bridge the gaps that exist in law and in practice and to create employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. In this regard, the Government may wish to avail itself of technical assistance from the Office in order to bridge the gaps in the implementation of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy. Consultation of the social partners and other organizations concerned. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in April 2013 which, in reply to the comments which the Committee has been making for a number of years, states that there is no policy for recruiting persons with disabilities. The Government refers to the provisions of Act No. 6/92 of 20 March 1992 establishing the system of individual conditions of work for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to formulate and implement a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee also invites the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held with the social partners and organizations concerned, as required by Article 5 of the Convention.

ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates that a large number of persons with disabilities are unemployed, many because they are demotivated and others because they lack opportunities. In this regard, the Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88). In view of the difficulties observed since the ratification of the Convention, the Committee notes that technical assistance would be particularly useful to bridge the gaps that exist in law and in practice and to create employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. In this regard, the Government may wish to avail itself of technical assistance from the Office in order to bridge the gaps in the implementation of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received since 2007. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments, which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the brief reply provided by the Government in March 2007 indicating that owing to a lack of human, material and financial resources, the Ministry of Labour still does not have a centre to deal with persons with disabilities. Therefore, there are currently no policies of any kind relating to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes that there is a single NGO which deals with issues relating to persons with disabilities. Owing to the lack of material and financial resources, this NGO has been able to do very little for persons with disabilities. The Committee hopes that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to the Convention and will be able to provide in its next report detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the Government may request technical advice and assistance from the Office for the implementation of a national policy to provide vocational rehabilitation and to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as required by the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received since 2007. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments, which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the brief reply provided by the Government in March 2007 indicating that owing to a lack of human, material and financial resources, the Ministry of Labour still does not have a centre to deal with persons with disabilities. Therefore, there are currently no policies of any kind relating to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes that there is a single NGO which deals with issues relating to persons with disabilities. Owing to the lack of material and financial resources, this NGO has been able to do very little for persons with disabilities. The Committee hopes that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to the Convention and will be able to provide in its next report detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the Government may request technical advice and assistance from the Office for the implementation of a national policy to provide vocational rehabilitation and to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as required by the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2007 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the brief reply provided by the Government in March 2007 indicating that owing to a lack of human, material and financial resources, the Ministry of Labour still does not have a centre to deal with persons with disabilities. Therefore, there are currently no policies of any kind relating to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes that there is a single NGO which deals with issues relating to persons with disabilities. Owing to the lack of material and financial resources, this NGO has been able to do very little for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous direct requests and hopes that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to the Convention and will be able to provide in its next report detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the Government may request technical advice and assistance from the Office for the implementation of a national policy to provide vocational rehabilitation and to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as required by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2007 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the brief reply provided by the Government in March 2007 indicating that owing to a lack of human, material and financial resources, the Ministry of Labour still does not have a centre to deal with persons with disabilities. Therefore, there are currently no policies of any kind relating to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes that there is a single NGO which deals with issues relating to persons with disabilities. Owing to the lack of material and financial resources, this NGO has been able to do very little for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous direct requests and hopes that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to the Convention and will be able to provide in its next report detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the Government may request technical advice and assistance from the Office for the implementation of a national policy to provide vocational rehabilitation and to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as required by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the brief reply provided by the Government in March 2007 indicating that owing to a lack of human, material and financial resources, the Ministry of Labour still does not have a centre to deal with persons with disabilities. Therefore, there are currently no policies of any kind relating to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes that there is a single NGO which deals with issues relating to persons with disabilities. Owing to the lack of material and financial resources, this NGO has been able to do very little for persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its previous direct requests and hopes that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to the Convention and will be able to provide in its next report detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the Government may request technical advice and assistance from the Office for the implementation of a national policy to provide vocational rehabilitation and to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as required by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the organization and operation of the centre that will deal with persons with disabilities and the categories of persons with disabilities who have access to it. Please also describe any measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

Article 5. Please describe the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of persons with disabilities are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment rehabilitation of such persons, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe the services established to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Please describe the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure the training and availability of counsellors on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Please provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistics and extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the organization and operation of the centre that will deal with persons with disabilities and the categories of persons with disabilities who have access to it. Please also describe any measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

Article 5. Please describe the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of persons with disabilities are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment rehabilitation of such persons, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe the services established to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Please describe the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure the training and availability of counsellors on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Please provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistics and extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the organization and operation of the centre that will deal with persons with disabilities and the categories of persons with disabilities who have access to it. Please also describe any measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

Article 5. Please describe the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of persons with disabilities are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment rehabilitation of such persons, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe the services established to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Please describe the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure the training and availability of counsellors on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Please provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistics and extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in September 2003 on the activities of the Social Action Department of the National Social Security Institute for persons with disabilities. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the application of the following provisions of the Convention.

Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the organization and operation of the centre that will deal with persons with disabilities and the categories of persons with disabilities who have access to it. Please also describe any measures adopted or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

Article 5. The Government indicates that there is a federation of all the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to describe the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of persons with disabilities are consulted on the implementation of the national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment rehabilitation of such persons, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe the services established to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Please describe the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure the training and availability of counsellors on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Please provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistics and extracts from reports, studies and inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention. 

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 1997 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 3 of the Convention. In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

Article 5. Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Article 7. Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

Article 8. Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

Part III of the report form. The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

Part V. Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee again notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 1997 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s first report. It would be grateful if the Government could provide, in its next report, additional information on the following points:

Article 3 of the Convention. In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

Article 5. Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Article 7. Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

Article 8. Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

Part III of the report form. The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

Part V. Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s first report. It would be grateful if the Government could provide, in its next report, additional information on the following points:

  Article 3 of the Convention.  In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

  Article 5.  Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

  Article 7.  Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

  Article 8.  Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

  Article 9.  Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

  Part III of the report form.  The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

  Part V.  Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government's first report. It would be grateful if the Government could provide, in its next report, additional information on the following points:

Article 3 of the Convention. In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

Article 5. Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Article 7. Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

Article 8. Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

Part III of the report form. The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

Part V. Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government's first report. It would be grateful if the Government could provide, in its next report, additional information on the following points:

Article 3 of the Convention. In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

Article 5. Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Article 7. Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

Article 8. Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

Point III of the report form. The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

Point V. Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes the Government's first report. It would be grateful if the Government could provide, in its next report, additional information on the following points:

Article 3 of the Convention. In its report the Government indicates that disabled persons have access to training centres and to work centres. Please indicate how such centres are organized and how they operate, together with the categories of disabled persons which have access to them. In addition, please indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons on the free labour market.

Article 5. Please indicate according to which methods the representative organizations of employers and workers and the representative organizations of disabled persons are consulted on the implementation of the national vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for these persons, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Article 7. Please indicate the services introduced to ensure vocational rehabilitation and employment for categories of disabled persons other than the children who are blind or suffer from poliomyelitis mentioned in the report.

Article 8. Please explain the measures taken or envisaged to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and isolated communities.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken to guarantee the training and availability of counsellors in respect of vocational rehabilitation and employment for disabled persons.

Point III of the report form. The Government refers to the different authorities which are entrusted with the application of laws and administrative regulations. Please indicate the apportionment of powers between each of these authorities and the methods by which this application is ensured.

Point V. Please provide information on the practical application of the Convention, in particular statistics and extracts from reports, studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention (for example, as regards particular areas, sectors of activity or categories of disabled workers).