Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 1999)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy for the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Consultations. The Committee notes with interest the efforts undertaken by the Government with a view to promoting the employment of persons with disabilities, particularly following the ratification by Trinidad and Tobago of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 25 June 2017. In this regard, the Committee notes the adoption of the revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (NPPD), approved by the Parliament on 16 May 2019. The NPPD envisages adopting a broad range of measures related to, inter alia, work and employment, education and awareness raising on disability issues. These measures include enacting legislation to give effect to the present Convention; implementing awareness-raising programmes for employers on the provision of reasonable accommodation, including for employees with mental disabilities; promoting access of persons with disabilities to self-employment opportunities; and collaborating with employers in the public and private sectors as well as persons with disabilities to increase their employment opportunities. The Committee observes that an Inter-Agency Committee to promote and monitor the implementation of the CRPD and the NPPD was established in March 2020 for a two-year term, comprising representatives from the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and persons with disabilities. The Inter-Agency Committee developed an Action Plan, which envisages the implementation of several short- and medium-term initiatives in the area of work and employment. The Government indicates that, while some timelines have lapsed, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) continues to implement the actions envisaged under the Action Plan. In addition, the MOL collaborates with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) to identify employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. In the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Government indicated that through this project, persons with disabilities are registered with the National Employment Service (NES) to facilitate their employment. The project also facilitates entrepreneurial training and awareness raising for potential employers (A/HRC/WG.6/39/TTO/1, 17 August 2021, paragraph 73). Lastly, the Committee notes that the Government indicates that a stakeholder consultations on employment of persons with disabilities was projected for 2023 and that work would be undertaken towards the development of a framework for the employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government ‘s indication that it intends to request technical assistance from the ILO Office for the Caribbean regarding employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and the impact of the measures takento promote employment of persons with disabilities in both the public and the private sectors, including those adopted in the framework of theNational Policy on Persons with Disabilities (NPPD) and its Action Plan as well as the Project “Enable”. It also requests the Government to provide information on how the representative organizations of employers and workers, as well as of organizations of persons with disabilities, are consulted on the implementation and periodic review of the NPPD. The Committee further requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the practical application of the Convention, including available statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, as well as extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 4. Effective equality of opportunity and treatmentbetween men and women workers with disabilities, and between workers with disabilities and other workers. The Committee notes the set of measures foreseen to address discrimination against persons with disabilities in the legislation. The Government indicates that the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal have commenced the legislative process on a Disability Bill, addressing areas such as employment, equality and non-discrimination, and rehabilitation. The Bill also proposes the establishment of a Council of Persons with Disabilities, which will seek to provide advice to the Minister responsible for disability matters. Moreover, it is envisaged the development of a Draft policy position paper on employment standards through the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC). This Draft Policy Paper refers to the drafting of an Employment Standards Bill, which includes a provision establishing that an employer shall not discriminate against a worker in employing, appointing, promoting or terminating and in the application of other terms and conditions set out in this legislation because of, among other grounds, disability, sex and gender (clause 2). In addition, the Committee refers to its 2021 comments on the implementation of the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), where it noted the Government’s indication that draft amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act were under review by the Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs in April 2021. The Committee observes that, under the NPPD, it is also envisaged to revise the national legislation, including in the area of employment and education, to ensure equality of opportunity non-discrimination against persons with disabilities in the workplace and employment. Regarding equal access to education and training to persons with disabilities, the Committee observes that the NPPD foresees the adoption of measures with a view to: (i) ensuring that appropriate legislation is in place in order to guarantee an inclusive education system that does not discriminate against persons with disabilities; (ii) enabling participation in mainstream education at all levels, from primary to tertiary levels, including adult education; and (iii) providing accessible technical and vocational training as well as entrepreneurial training. Moreover, the Ministry of Education, through the Special Education Unit of the Student Support Services Division (SSSD), provides support services for students with disabilities and other special education needs. Additionally, the SSSD has embarked on a pilot “Inclusive Schools Project” in primary and secondary schools, with a view to ensuring that education remains available, accessible, acceptable and adaptable to children with disabilities (A/HRC/WG.6/39/TTO/1, paragraph 74).

The Committee further notes that in its concluding observations, the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC), while noting the country’s efforts to address discrimination, expressed concern about the persistent discrimination suffered by persons with disabilities, in particular in the areas of education and employment. The HRC asked the Government to take effective measures to combat stereotypes about and negative attitudes towards persons on the basis of disability, in legislation, public policies and programmes, in both the public and the private spheres (document CCPR/C/TTO/CO/5, 1 December 2023, paragraphs 17 and 18 (d)). The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue its efforts aimed at promoting employment of persons with disabilities and to provide updated information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature, scope and impact of any measures taken with a view to ensuring equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation as well as in education and training between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities, as well as between men and women with disabilities.It also requests the Government to provide updated information on the status of the Disability Bill as well as the Employment Standards Bill and thedraft amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act, particularly those related to disability, and to provide copies once they have been adopted.

Article 7. Adaptation of existing services to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the various measures taken to promote accessibility and adapt existing services to the needs of persons with disabilities, such as removing taxes on assistive devices and technologies used by persons with disabilities, encouraging the use of accessible and useable building and facilities codes in the building of new facilities or renovation of existing ones, and providing transportation services. With regard to the difficulties identified in enabling persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment, the Committee notes that the Government’s indication that, between November 2016 to January 2017, 116 employers participated in the survey “Employer Perspectives on Hiring and Retention of Persons with Disabilities” conducted by the MOL. The Committee observes that, while 90 per cent of the employers provided a positive response to partnering with organizations of persons with disabilities to support the hiring of persons with disabilities, the great majority highlighted the existence of barriers to the promotion of employment of persons with disabilities, including health and safety issues (77 per cent), lack of policy guidelines on measures to be taken on cases where an employee has acquired a disability (75 per cent), costs associated with the provision of appropriate accommodation (69 per cent), and lack of legislation encouraging the employment of persons of disabilities (42.6 per cent). The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature and the impact of the specific measures taken to address the abovementioned difficulties identified in enabling persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment, both in the public and the private sectors.

Article 8. Rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural and remote areas. In reply to the Committee’s previous request regarding the results of the 2014 survey and of an evaluation of the quality of rehabilitation and employment services available to persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities, the Government indicates that the survey was not accepted for analysis purposes due to significant inaccuracies on its poverty analysis. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities provides skills training on a broad range of crafts (such as administration, garment construction, woodwork, information technologies) to men and women with disabilities across the country, including in remote areas. The Goodwill Industries of the West Indies and the Lady Hochoy Centre also provide skills training for persons with disabilities in Port of Spain. Moreover, annual subventions are provided to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing rehabilitation, skills training and employment placement services to persons with disabilities, including in remote and rural areas. However, the Government indicates that no evaluation of the quality of rehabilitation and employment services available for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities has been undertaken. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated and detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age, sex and region, on the nature, scope and impact of the vocational rehabilitation and employment services, including the training and professional guidance services, available to persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of such measures in terms of the improvement of access for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities to such services.

Article 9. Training of staff responsible for persons with disabilities. The Committee observes that, according to the NPPD report, training and certification on special education are provided and measures have been taken to ensure that programmes offered in education comprise a component on disability. The NPPD reports points out that, while these efforts have resulted in some improvements in the provision of education to students with disabilities, they have also highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to facilitate and foster inclusive education. Under the NPPD, measures are planned to provide adequate and appropriate professional support staff, delivering comprehensive pre-service training programmes and identified in-service training to train educators to meet the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities; and ensuring continuous skills upgrade to ensure teachers are equipped with current strategies relevant to teaching and learning for persons with various disabilities. The Committee notes that the Government reports that between 2017 and 2022, 245 staff members responsible for persons with disabilities in the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, the Trinidad and Tobago Association for Hearing Impaired as well as Goodwill Industries of the West Indies, participated in training and retraining activities to improve their skills. The Committee encourages the Government to keep up its efforts as regards ensuring the training and availability of counsellors and other suitably qualified staff responsible for the vocational guidance, vocational training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities. It requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the nature, the scope, and the impact of the measures taken with a view to ensuring the training and availability of advisers specialized in rehabilitation and of other qualified staff responsible for ensuring the provision of vocational guidance and training, and the placement and employment of persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

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

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy for the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of the People and Social Development (MPSD), in collaboration with national umbrella organizations representing persons with disabilities, has held discussions in order to identify priority legislative areas, as contained in the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. The MPSD is responsible for coordinating and monitoring activities relating to the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. A legislative policy is being developed and would seek to address key areas, including access to education, employment, discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The Committee notes that, according to the 2011 Trinidad and Tobago Population and Housing Census, there are approximately 52,244 persons with disabilities in the country. This total reflects a slight increase over the 2000 census which recorded 45,496 persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the increase may be related to increased or improved reporting, as well as the rapidly ageing population. The Committee further notes the various programmes and initiatives implemented to facilitate access to employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide an evaluation of the programmes and measures adopted in the framework of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities for the purpose of increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on special positive measures aimed at effective equality of opportunity and treatment between workers with disabilities and other workers (Article 4). Please also continue to include updated statistics disaggregated by age, sex and nature of the disability, as well as extracts of reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 7. Adaptation of existing services to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the initiatives taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment, such as the “leading by example” approach and training programmes. With respect to constraints, the Government indicates that obtaining reliable transportation for persons with disabilities remains a challenge. The Committee notes that the Government remains committed to finding solutions to these challenges, such as with the Elderly and Disabled Mobile Bus Service (ELDAMO) which provides public transportation to the elderly and persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken and on the difficulties encountered to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment, both in the public and the private sectors.

Article 8. Rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural and remote areas. The Committee notes that, according to the 2011 Trinidad and Tobago Population and Housing Census, 96.5 per cent of persons with disabilities reside in Trinidad and 3.5 per cent reside in Tobago. The Government indicates that it is conducting a 2014 National Survey of Living Conditions whereby it hopes to obtain greater information with respect to the geographic concentration of persons with disabilities, including in remote areas, which would enable a more effective targeting of programmes. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the 2014 survey and an evaluation of the quality of rehabilitation and employment services available to persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of staff responsible for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that it seeks to ensure that suitably qualified and trained staff comprises its various rehabilitation programmes which are aimed at and available for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to improve the skills of vocational rehabilitation staff.

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

Promotion of employment for workers with disabilities in the private and public sectors. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2009 including replies to its 2005 direct request. The Government indicates that the Disability Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Social Development is responsible for monitoring and coordinating activities pertinent to the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. This policy was approved in December 2005 after nationwide consultations of the draft policy from 2003 to 2005 which were made available in soft copy, Braille and sign language. The Committee notes that this policy is to take effect over a seven-year period (mid-2006 to mid-2013) and implementing agencies are required to present annual progress reports to the community of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to influence the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities by offering their feedback through NGO workshops. It also notes that according to the 2000 national census, approximately 45,496 persons or 4.1 per cent of the total population has a disability. These figures are similar to findings of the Survey of Living Conditions (2005) which demonstrated disability among approximately 4 per cent of the population. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information regarding the practical results of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (Article 2 of the Convention). Please also provide documents containing statistics and other relevant data (disaggregated as much as possible by age, gender and the nature of the disability), studies or surveys on the matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).

Rehabilitative programmes. The Government indicates that the impact of the rehabilitative programmes have enhanced the quality of lives and allowed for the integration of disabled persons into the wider community. The Committee notes various support services including personalized training and a job placement programme provided by the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). The Government indicates specialized services through the Deaf Pioneers Life Centre which since 2000, has trained over 100 deaf persons, 20 per cent of whom obtained employment or became self-employed. The Government indicates that during 2005–09, 15 per cent of students with disabilities who received training obtained employment and among mentally challenged persons who underwent training from 2007 to 2008, 5 per cent obtained employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide further information regarding efforts to facilitate access to employment and results of programmes implemented (Article 3).

Equal opportunity of treatment. The Government indicates the prohibition of discrimination in employment on several bases including disability and gender under the Equal Opportunity Act and equal opportunity and treatment of persons with disabilities through the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report further information regarding the impact of these efforts and others which promote equal opportunity and treatment with regard to disability (Article 4).

Adaptation of existing services to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the approach of “leading by example” was adopted to promote employment of persons with disabilities. Activities were hosted by the Ministry of Labour to promote the integration of persons with disabilities in the workforce. The Committee invites the Government to supply further information in its next report on the impact of the measures taken and on the difficulties encountered to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment both in the public and the private sectors (Article 7).

Rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates non-governmental organizations’ partnership efforts to incorporate rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas. The Committee notes progress in both vocational training and educational support which contributed to achieving employment. The Committee invites the Government to provide additional information regarding rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural and poorer areas (Article 8).

Qualification of rehabilitation counsellors and other staff. The Government indicates that rehabilitation counsellors are recruited by the Ministry of Health which focuses on recruiting suitably qualified staff through regional health authorities. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the necessary qualifications and general policy for recruiting rehabilitation counsellors and other staff (Article 9).

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

1. Promotion of employment for workers with disabilities in the private and public sectors. The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report received in May 2005, regarding the establishment of the National Coordinating Committee on Disability, which was reconstituted and had their first meeting in July 2003. It requests further information on the proceeding and results of the periodic review of the policy on persons with disabilities (Article 2 of the Convention). It would also appreciate receiving further information on the way consultations are handled with the National Coordinating Committee on Disability, and on the practical results of their activities (Article 5). Please also include statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).

2. Rehabilitative programmes. The Committee notes the recent rehabilitative programmes provided by the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). It also notes the training programmes put in place to facilitate access to employment. It would appreciate receiving further information on the results of the programmes implemented (Article 3).

3. Equal opportunity of treatment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate, in its next report, the impact of any measures so far adopted by the NCPD on equal opportunity and treatment of men and women among the persons with disabilities, and between workers with disabilities and other workers (Article 4).

4. Adaptation of existing services to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the new programmes implemented by the Government to expand general services, regarding employment, to reach people with disabilities. It would appreciate receiving information on the practical impact of these new policies as well as on the difficulties that are encountered (Article 7).

5. Rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee notes that there are measures yet to be implemented to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities (Article 8). It invites the Government to consider if the activities performed by the NCPD might be expanded to assess the needs of people with disabilities in rural and poorer areas, and to put into place such facilities as may appear necessary.

6. Qualification of rehabilitation counsellors and other staff. The Committee requests that the Government provides further information on measures taken to ensure that rehabilitation counsellors and other staff are suitably qualified (Article 9).

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 2002 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 2 of the Convention. Please provide further information on whether it is intended to carry out periodic review of the Policy on Persons with Disabilities.

Article 3. The Committee notes the comprehensive list of rehabilitative programmes to be provided by the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), and the indication that some measures are carried out with the assistance of non-governmental organizations. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on what programmes have been given practical effect, and on the results they have obtained.

Article 4. Please indicate the impact of any measures so far adopted by the NCPD, on equal opportunity and treatment of men and women among the disabled, and between disabled and other workers.

Article 5. The Committee notes that a national coordinating committee is to be established to promote disability issues and develop programmes to improve the status of and ensure equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is to be composed of, inter alia, tripartite representatives and representatives of disabled persons’ associations. Please indicate whether the national coordinating committee has been established, and provide information on its activities once established.

Article 7. The Committee notes that the NCPD is to provide a range of counselling and placement services to people with disabilities. It would appreciate receiving further information on measures taken to adapt existing services to accommodate people with disabilities.

Article 8. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that "no special measures are as yet in place to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and remote communities". Please provide further information on the activities performed by the NCPD to assess the needs of people with disabilities in rural and remote communities, and to put into place such facilities as may appear necessary.

Article 9. Please provide further information on measures taken to ensure that rehabilitation counsellors and other staff are suitably qualified.

Part V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for example statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

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

The Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government’s first report, and in particular the acknowledgement that the measures for the implementation of the Convention are not yet fully implemented. It would appreciate receiving further information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. Please provide further information on whether it is intended to carry out periodic review of the Policy on Persons with Disabilities.

Article 3. The Committee notes the comprehensive list of rehabilitative programmes to be provided by the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), and the indication that some measures are carried out with the assistance of non-governmental organizations. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on what programmes have been given practical effect, and on the results they have obtained.

Article 4. Please indicate the impact of any measures so far adopted by the NCPD, on equal opportunity and treatment of men and women among the disabled, and between disabled and other workers.

Article 5. The Committee notes that a national coordinating committee is to be established to promote disability issues and develop programmes to improve the status of and ensure equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is to be composed of, inter alia, tripartite representatives and representatives of disabled persons’ associations. Please indicate whether the national coordinating committee has been established, and provide information on its activities once established.

Article 7. The Committee notes that the NCPD is to provide a range of counselling and placement services to people with disabilities. It would appreciate receiving further information on measures taken to adapt existing services to accommodate people with disabilities.

Article 8. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that "no special measures are as yet in place to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and remote communities". Please provide further information on the activities performed by the NCPD to assess the needs of people with disabilities in rural and remote communities, and to put into place such facilities as may appear necessary.

Article 9. Please provide further information on measures taken to ensure that rehabilitation counsellors and other staff are suitably qualified.

Part V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for example statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.