In the open labor market of Ukraine, there is a shortage of personnel, while around two million people with disabilities are unemployed. Daria Sydorenko, the executive director of «The League of the Strong” highlighted in the Economic Pravda column that the law does not have enough ways to encourage hiring people with disabilities.
In the job market, there are not enough qualified workers. At the same time, many people don’t have jobs and have to rely on government assistance and humanitarian aid.
«Currently, only 17% of people with disabilities are employed in Ukraine. This means that approximately 2 million people with disabilities are not engaged in work. And these are pre-war statistics. If we look at international practice, in the countries of the European Union, 51,3% of active working-age people with disabilities have paid employment. At the same time, the EU does not take pride in this indicator and constantly emphasizes that it could be much higher», emphasized Daria Sydorenko.
In Ukraine, people with disabilities do not have the option to work a few hours per week, as is often the case in European countries. Businesses have their own goals and rules, but the government does not have ways to encourage employing people with disabilities. Moreover, there are no effective state and local programs.
The problem is with the laws. Ukraine is still using an outdated Labor Code from 1971, and the system of punishments for not meeting the quota of hiring disabled people is not functioning correctly.
A comprehensive solution is needed to shift from a charitable approach to disability to a rights-based approach. This means recognizing that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else, no matter their health. These rights include the right to work, to have leisure time, and more.
Read the full text of the blog on the website of Economic Pravda (in Ukrainian).
During the Mental Inclusion Forum in Kyiv, Daria Sydorenko emphasized the need to align the approach to hiring individuals with disabilities with the UN Convention. Rather than viewing it as an act of charity, it should be acknowledged as a real opportunity for them to find employment in the open job market.
In May 2023, 16 civil organizations supporting the rights of people with disabilities endorsed a statement by the «The League of Strong» regarding the reform of the employment sector.