Equal Treatment of Disabled People in Employment ETUC - EDF JOINT CONFERENCE Thessaloniki, 2 March 2003

The Labour Market Situation of People with Disabilities in the EU (Eurostat EHCP1996)

A Common objective…. Social Partners' Declaration for EYPD 2003: ….Fostering equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all areas including employment.. Inclusion in the labour market as a shared interest of companies and workers by removing discrimination, emphasising abilities, by raising awareness that employing disabled persons is a positive factor for the company, by diversifying solutions through tailored approaches, by mobilising all actors in the wider community…. Recommendation that Trade Unions examine disability issues with their members, develop equal opportunity policies in this area and integrate them in their trade union policies…

The Madrid Declaration NON DISCRIMINATION PLUS POSITIVE ACTIONS RESULTS IN SOCIAL INCLUSION “Away from labeling people as dependents or unemployable… and towards an emphasis on ability and the provision of active support measures”. “Away from unnecessary segregation in education, employment, and other spheres of life.., and towards integration of disabled people into the mainstream”. “Away from designing economic and social processes for the few, and towards designing a flexible world for the many”

Tools for improving access to employment, training and career advancement  Non discrimination legislation:  Implementing the Equal treatment directive in employment  Achieving a disability specific directive  Positive actions:  A stronger European Employment Strategy  An open method of coordination on disability  A framework agreement on job retention  Promoting economic incentives

Equal Treatment Directive What is it about? Employment, criteria and recruitment conditions, access to vocational training, guidance, advancement, retraining, practical work experience, working conditions (dismissal-pay) Direct and indirect discrimination Reasonable accommodation Allows for positive actions Burden of proof Remedies and sanctions

What can Trade Unions do? Trade Unions can contribute to its transposal : Implementation through collective bargaining Involving disability organisations Push for swift implementation Disseminating information at the workplace Trade Unions are also concerned: Membership of and involvement in an organisation of workers Trade Unions are also employers Trade Unions can enforce its provisions: Monitoring of workplace practices They may engage procedures in support or behalf of a discriminated worker

Disability Specific Directive Why a new directive? Promote new directive for fighting all forms of discrimination in all areas of life Equal access to education, services, and goods for equal opportunities in employment, training, advancement How to achieve it? Implementation of employment directive within 2003 By campaigning together

Positive actions European Employment Strategy –Visibility of disability in the new strategy –Mainstreaming in all areas, all actions –Clear and quantified objectives on employment and training –Actions to implement the equal treatment directive –Good practice and information on reasonable accommodation –National committees with main stakeholders Incentives for employment –Public procurement Collective bargaining for equal opportunities: –Equal access to training and promotion for disabled people –job retention An open method of coordination on disability

…. A Partnership for change A common understanding and a commitment for change Cooperation in all areas affecting people with disabilities at EU level Partnerships at national level between trade unions and disability organisations