The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a working paper drawing attention to pressing employment challenges faced by people with disabilities. The report highlights significant barriers preventing the full participation of individuals with disabilities in the labor market and reveals a stark wage disparity. According to the working paper, people with disabilities earn, on average, 12 percent less per hour than their non-disabled counterparts. This gap widens even further in low and lower-middle-income countries, where it can reach up to 26 percent.
The paper also emphasizes the compounded discrimination faced by women with disabilities. For instance, these women earn approximately six percent less than men in developed countries and five percent less in developing nations. Furthermore, the report underscores a broader issue of labor market inclusion, noting that only 30 percent of people with disabilities are active participants in the labor market.
The ILO has recommended several measures to mitigate these disparities, including improved accessibility in online recruitment processes, better support for employers when hiring individuals with disabilities, and necessary workplace adaptations to accommodate their needs. Despite various efforts, people with disabilities continue to experience higher unemployment rates, averaging 7.6 percent compared to 6.0 percent for non-disabled individuals, according to an ILO database released in 2022.
The paper also identifies systemic barriers such as insufficient access to education and training, inadequate workplace accommodations, and societal discrimination as key issues. Many individuals with disabilities also face significant hurdles in securing employment due to inadequate job counseling and transportation. Furthermore, the design of disability welfare systems often restricts employment opportunities, pushing many disabled individuals into informal or poorly-paid jobs.
The ILO, a United Nations agency, continues to advocate for inclusive labor standards and social protections to ensure equitable treatment in workplaces worldwide.