The right to work and employment is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, it is also far from being a reality for millions of persons with disabilities willing to work.
The Europe 2020 strategy objective aims at reaching 75% employment rate in the EU. However, at EU level, about 47% of persons with disabilities are employed, compared to 72% of persons without disabilities. The unemployment rate of people with disabilities in the EU, aged 20-64, is 17% compared to 10% of persons without disabilities and the EU activity rate of persons with disabilities is 57% compared to 80% of non-disable people. Moreover, women with disabilities, young disabled persons and people in need of high level support are more likely to be discriminated and excluded from the labour market.
For the European Disability Forum, guaranteeing access to employment and occupation is a key issue, as it is a crucial aspect for the economic and social inclusion of 80 million persons with disabilities in Europe.
Unemployment may lead to poverty and social exclusion. Barriers preventing access to the employment market are most of the times based on misconceptions and judgments on a person’s abilities. That is why EDF works on various levels to develop legislation in the field and to promote positive action in the labour market.
EDF's publications:
- EDF reply to public consultation on long-term unemployed
- EDF response to the Consultation on a draft General Block Exemption Regulation (the GBER) on state aid measures June 2013
- EDF Report on Evaluating the ‘Defence of rights’ under the Employment Directive April 2013
- EDF Report on the implementation process of the Employment Directive
- JOINT DECLARATION EDF-ETUC 2011
More information:
General Block Exemption Regulation (the GBER) on state aid measures
European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs
