Employment of Disabled in India Report
Employment of
Disabled People in India
The aim of the Study was to understand the current scenario vis-à-vis ‘Employment of Disabled People in India’.
Introduction
Enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities is one of the main concerns of the disability sector in India. When one looks at the micro level, it may seem like there has been progress. There is increased awareness amongst Corporate and people with disabilities. There has been pressure on the Government to implement The Disability Act, 1995. Even though there was no law mandating the private sector to employ disabled people, some companies have taken proactive measures to employ disabled people. The picture seems positive!
However, the following finding of the World Bank Report ‘People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes’ released in 2007, tells a different story!
The employment rate of disabled people has actually fallen from 42.7% in 1991 down to 37.6 % in 2002.
According to the employment projection given in the Eleventh Plan, in the Chapter ‘Employment Perspective and Labor Policy’, “58 million job opportunities will be created in the Eleventh Plan period leading to a reduction in the unemployment rate to below 5%. Over the longer period up to 2016–17, spanning the Eleventh and Twelfth Plan periods, the additional employment opportunities created are estimated at 116 million. The unemployment rate at the end of the Twelfth Plan period is projected to fall to a little over 1%.”
There is a wide gap between the employment rate of people with and without disabilities in the country. Therefore, the above target for bringing down the unemployment rate cannot be achieved without addressing the employment issues of people with disabilities, who constitute about 5-6% of the population. It would require proactive initiative on the part of all concerned to ensure that disability is included in the employment programmes of the Government and the private sector.
Disabled People in India
The aim of the Study was to understand the current scenario vis-à-vis ‘Employment of Disabled People in India’.
Introduction
Enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities is one of the main concerns of the disability sector in India. When one looks at the micro level, it may seem like there has been progress. There is increased awareness amongst Corporate and people with disabilities. There has been pressure on the Government to implement The Disability Act, 1995. Even though there was no law mandating the private sector to employ disabled people, some companies have taken proactive measures to employ disabled people. The picture seems positive!
However, the following finding of the World Bank Report ‘People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes’ released in 2007, tells a different story!
The employment rate of disabled people has actually fallen from 42.7% in 1991 down to 37.6 % in 2002.
According to the employment projection given in the Eleventh Plan, in the Chapter ‘Employment Perspective and Labor Policy’, “58 million job opportunities will be created in the Eleventh Plan period leading to a reduction in the unemployment rate to below 5%. Over the longer period up to 2016–17, spanning the Eleventh and Twelfth Plan periods, the additional employment opportunities created are estimated at 116 million. The unemployment rate at the end of the Twelfth Plan period is projected to fall to a little over 1%.”
There is a wide gap between the employment rate of people with and without disabilities in the country. Therefore, the above target for bringing down the unemployment rate cannot be achieved without addressing the employment issues of people with disabilities, who constitute about 5-6% of the population. It would require proactive initiative on the part of all concerned to ensure that disability is included in the employment programmes of the Government and the private sector.
References: 1. 12th annual meeting of APF, NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION OF INDIA 2. VOL. 17, NO. 2, THE NATIONAL MEDICAL JOURNAL OD INDIA 3. Ghai, Anita (2001), 'In Interview with Hershy, Laura ', Disability World, a bimonthly webzine on international disability news and views, Issue No 8, May-June 2001. 4. Article by NISHA, REGULATION OF DISABLED WOMEN’S SEXUALITY India country report, “DISABLED PEOPLE IN DEVELOPMENT”, Foundation for International Training and Regional and Sustainable Development Department 1ST June 2005 5. Philip O Keefe O’ Lead Social Protection Specialist World Bank, November 2007 Keefe Article on “People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes” 6. Government of India Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Invitation of suggestions/ comments on Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. WEBSITES 1. http://www.globalaging.org/agingwatch/GA/adraftres61L6.pdf 2. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/gashc3827.doc.htm