Mobilizing social partners for Article 27 of the…

Article 27 of the UNCRPD recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others. Participation in employment is the best way to ensure economic autonomy and social inclusion. However, despite the increased focus in many countries on the employment of persons with disabilities, many barriers remain and the employment gap between persons with disabilities and those without remains one of the biggest obstacles to social inclusion for persons with disabilities.

As privileged partners in labour market policy, the social partners – worker and employer organisations - play a crucial role in shaping working conditions and labour market outcomes.

This side-event focuses on the role that worker and employer organisations can play through disability inclusive social dialogue and how this can be facilitated by State parties. Cooperation and exchanges of good practices are important to take steps forward, not only between State parties but also between organisations and companies (peer-to-peer).

Guiding questions:

• How can worker and employer organisations contribute to the employment of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others?
• How can persons with disabilities and their representative organisations be better involved in social dialogue ?
• What governmental policy measures are useful to social partners to promote the employment of persons with disabilities?