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

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Russian Federation (Ratification: 1988)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s detailed report received in September 2009. The Government states that, by Decision No. 379h of 4 August 2008, procedures for the formulation of customized rehabilitation programmes for persons with disabilities have been modified and that specialists in the public employment service and employers may now be invited to participate in the design of these programmes. The Federal Social Support Programme for Persons with Disabilities was launched for the 2006–10 period. It provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a network of institutions dealing with the rehabilitation, assessment and integration into society of persons with disabilities, as well as with support to enterprises and associations of persons with disabilities throughout the country with a view to creating additional employment for persons with disabilities. This programme should enable more than 4,200 persons with disabilities to find employment. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the impact of the Federal Support Programme for Persons with Disabilities for 2006–10 with regard to the rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 3. Employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government refers to Instruction No. 1193-p of 15 August 2008 establishing a plan of action for the 2008–10 period, which comprises special programmes for under‑qualified and unemployed persons, especially persons with disabilities, such as vocational training, temporary placements and financial support for promoting mobility in other localities, particularly in rural areas. The Government indicates that employment prospects for persons with disabilities are gradually expanding and 19,200 persons with disabilities were placed thanks to the quota system established in 2004 and, in 2008, a total of 256,000 persons with disabilities sought work through the public employment service, and 87,000 of them were placed in employment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment for persons with disabilities. It requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of the Convention, including statistics (disaggregated as much as possible by age, sex and the nature of the disability), extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention, particularly with respect to particular areas or branches of activity or particular categories of workers with disabilities (Part V of the report form).

Article 5. Consultations with social partners. The Government indicates that the 2008–10 General Agreement concluded between the trade unions, employers’ organizations and the Government contains a special component for workers with disabilities. Under Presidential Decree No. 1792 of 17 December 2008, a Council responsible for the situation of persons with disabilities has been set up in connection with the presidency of the Russian Federation. Having an advisory role, it takes care of consultation and cooperation between the executive, local communities, public interest associations, scientific organizations and others dealing with disability and persons with disabilities. The Council is composed of representatives of the presidential administration, the Government and the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the leaders of major Russian public interest associations composed of persons with disabilities, representatives of major Russian organizations of employers and directors of regional public bodies and local administrations. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the activities of the Council responsible for the situation of persons with disabilities with regard to the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 8. Services for persons with disabilities in rural areas. The Government indicates that the creation and operation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities form part of the development of the public service for the promotion of public employment, and that priority is given to the development of social infrastructure in rural areas and in the territories of the far North. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the progress made in the implementation of vocational rehabilitation and employment measures and services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.