2023-11-15 01:00:00
© OIT GENEVA (ILO News) – The ecological transition can offer job opportunities for people with disabilities. Realizing this potential will require inclusive training, education and sector-specific accessibility measures, among other things, says a new report from the International Labor Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN). the ILO) and the ONCE Foundation (National Organization of the Spanish Blind).
People with disabilities often bear the brunt of resource shortages and are among the first negatively affected by the transformation of economies around the world. They are often overlooked in the development of policies that address environmental challenges and adaptation, the analysis highlights.
“Making the Green Transition Inclusive for Persons with Disabilities” highlights that a transition cannot be considered “just” if it ignores the persistent marginalization of people with disabilities in the labor market or aggravates the already disproportionate effects of climate change on them.
With the right policies, the labor transformation induced by climate change can alleviate labor polarization due to digitalization, generating medium-skilled jobs, the report notes. It also highlights that the incorporation of people with disabilities can offer valuable perspectives to companies, promoting sustainability and innovation.
The document emphasizes the need to promote continuous and inclusive training for people with disabilities; foster social dialogue with underrepresented groups; and integrate inclusion and accessibility in the transition towards a greener economy and in social protection systems.
The document examines how the ecological transition will affect nine key economic sectors (energy, transport, construction and real estate activities (buildings), manufacturing industry, agriculture, livestock and fisheries, water supply and management, waste management, forestry and tourism) and how this may present opportunities and/or challenges for people with disabilities.
The report, prepared under the auspices of the “Disability Hub Europe”, a project led by the ONCE Foundation and co-financed by the European Social Fund, was presented during the 10th Annual World Conference of the GBDN of the ILO, entitled “Disability in sustainability efforts: companies leading the way”, which had take place at ILO headquarters on 14 and 15 November.
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