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

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

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.