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The Right to work for People with disabilities and
the international labour organisation
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is the global body mandated to oversee
the development and monitoring of international labour standards that promote
enjoyment of decent work. Founded in 1919, it became the first specialized agency
of the United Nations in 1946. The ILO is unique amongst UN agencies for its
use of a “tripartite” system that brings together representatives of governments,
employers, and workers to develop jointly policies and programmes.
Although the ILO works to promote decent work for all people, it also pays specific
attention to the enjoyment of the right to work by specific groups of people, such
as young persons, women, indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities. In
addition to its adoption of Convention 159 (concerning Vocational Rehabilitation
and Employment (Disabled Persons)) and its “Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment (Disabled Persons) Recommendation (No. 168),” the ILO also
operates the “ILO Disability Programme”:
The ILO Disability Programme promotes decent work for women and men with
disabilities and facilitates means to overcome the obstacles preventing people with
disabilities from full participation in the labour markets. Working from the Infocus
Programme on Skills, Knowledge and Employability, the programme involves the
following main activities:
• Improving knowledge on disability-related matters concerning training and
employment;
• Advocacy, guidance and policy advice to governments, workers and
employers’ organizations on training and organizations of/for people with
disabilities;
• Technical advisory services and cooperation activities. 1
exeRcise 10.1: What Does it Mean to Enjoy the Right to Work?
objective: To understand what it means to enjoy the right to work
Time: 30 minutes
materials: Chart paper and markers or blackboard and chalk
1. Define:
Divide participants into small groups and ask each group to come up with their own definition
of “the right to work.”
2. Report/discuss:
Ask a spokesperson from each group to give their definition. Record these and discuss
the differences and similarities of these definitions. Help the group recognize where their
definitions may differ from that used in this chapter.
1 See http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/skills/disability/iloprog.htm
PART 2: The convenTion on The RighTs of PeRsons wiTh disAbiliTies
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