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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Zambia (Ratification: 1989)

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Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

Articles 1 to 4 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Government states its commitment to pursue an inclusive society where persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights and opportunities that are fundamental for living and development through the implementation of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities Strategic Plan 2017–21. The Strategy envisages the adoption of measures to promote employment among persons with disabilities, including strengthening the engagement of the private sector and implementing the employment quota system for persons with disabilities. The Committee further notes the information provided by the Government regarding the measures taken to provide support to employers recruiting persons with disabilities, such as the introduction of tax rebates for those employers and the establishment of the National Business and Disability Network, hosted by the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE). Furthermore, the Government reports the implementation of a number of social programmes that provide livelihood support to persons in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities. The Government refers to, among others, the Support to women’s empowerment and livelihoods programme (GEWEL) aimed at increasing access to livelihood support for women, the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS) and the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). However, the Government indicates that there is no information available on the number of persons with disabilities that have benefited from such programmes. The Government also reports that, between 2020 and 2021, the National Trust Fund for Persons with Disabilities provided support to 518 persons, including loans for commercial ventures, education support and training in basic business management and entrepreneurship skills. Furthermore, the Government indicates that financial assistance is provided to persons with disabilities through several non-contributory social protection programmes to improve their living conditions, including the National Trust Fund for Persons with Disabilities and the Social Cash Transfer Programme (13.26 per cent of the beneficiary households).

The Committee notes, nonetheless, the Government’s indication that levels of unemployment are extremely high amongst persons with disabilities due to a number factors, such as the lack of policies to support employment of persons with disabilities, persons with disabilities’ low skill levels as a result of inadequate education, discriminatory attitudes and practices on the part of employers, barriers to access to land and finance, inaccessible work environments and the lack of awareness on persons with disabilities’ rights among the society. The Government adds that this situation is exacerbated in the case of women with disabilities as they face double discrimination as women and as persons living with disability and they often are less educated. Lastly, the Committee recalls that in its previous comments noted the development of Disability Management Information System (DMIS), which would assist in planning and programming further initiatives. However, the Government indicates that there is no system in place that collects data on the number of persons with disabilities that are employed. In this regard, the Committee highlights the importance of having statistical information that allows for the evaluation of the impact of measures adopted to promote employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee recalls that a comprehensive, participative and transparent monitoring and evaluation mechanism enables all the parties concerned to identify achievements and challenges in meeting policy objectives. The Committee emphasizes that it is essential to ensure that policies are “monitored and evaluated in relation to the established targets and indicators” (2020 General Survey, Promoting employment and decent work in a changing landscape, paragraphs 112 and 153). Underlining the importance of a data collection systemon the number of persons with disabilities employed for determining measures to be adopted to attain the objectives of the Convention and to review those measures regularly, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure the functioning of the Disability Management Information System (DMIS). It also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which collected data are used to formulate, implement and review policy measures adopted to promote employment of persons with disabilities. In this context, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information, including statistics disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and the impact of the measures adopted to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities, in the open labour market in both the public and private sectors.

Articles 3 and 4.Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The notes the Government’s indication that, while the Persons with Disabilities Act 2012, envisages the establishment of employment quotas for persons with disabilities in the public and private sector, the statutory instrument required to enforce this provision has yet to be adopted. The Government also indicates that a 10 per cent of positions in the health and teaching sectors will be reserved for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures to ensure the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2012, including the implementation of the employment quota for persons with disabilities in the public and the private sectors. It requests the Government to provide updated information on the impact of the reserved employment positions in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities, particularly in the health and teaching sectors.

Article 5. Consultations. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the manner in which the representative organizations of employers and workers, as well as the representative organizations of persons with disabilities, are consulted on the implementation and periodic review of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

Articles 7 and 8. Vocational training and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the initiatives undertaken by the Government to improve access to education for persons with disabilities. The Government refers to the introduction of mandatory courses in special educations needs at the Teacher Training Colleges of Education, the development of a general revised curriculum for primary school learners with disabilities, the removal of examination fees for children with disabilities, the availability of bursaries for trainees with disabilities in vocational training, and the implementation of pilot inclusive vocational training centres that fall under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). Referring to its comments above regarding the very high levels of unemployment amongst persons with disabilities and the key role of effective vocational education and training in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services, including vocational guidance and training and employment placement services, made available to persons with disabilities, including in rural areas and remote communities, as well as information on the impact of these services.

Article 9.Training of suitably qualified staff. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has a structure under the Directorate of Teacher Education and Specialized Services responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities, women and girls. The Government adds that teachers are trained on issues related to persons with disabilities, women and girls in the Zambia Institute of Special Education (ZAMISE) and that the topic of disability has been included in the recruitment processes to enhance inclusiveness among teaching personnel. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure the availability of suitably qualified staff responsible for the vocational guidance, education and training, as well as the employment of persons with disabilities on the open labour market.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates in its report that the National Disability Policy was approved by Cabinet, together with the National Implementation Plan. The Committee notes that the national policy aims at ensuring that disability is “mainstreamed across government ministries”; however, the policy has not yet been launched. The Committee further notes the enactment of the National Security Protection Policy which focuses on reducing poverty, inequality and vulnerability. One of its five pillars, disability, aims at capacity building for persons with disabilities through training, financial assistance and the establishment of apprentice vocational training centres. The Government recognizes that the lack of data on disability in the country has led to the development of the Disability Management Information System (DMIS). Data collected through the DMIS will be disaggregated based on sex, occupation, income assistance devices, rehabilitation sports and health needs and will assist in planning and programming further initiatives. Moreover, the 2015 National Disability Survey, the first survey wholly dedicated to disability, was launched and data has been collected in June and July 2015. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the policies and programmes implemented. It also requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the National Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre and other initiatives, and how they extend to persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. Please also include findings based on the data collected through the DMIS and the 2015 National Disability Survey, and how these translate into planning and programming further activities.

Articles 3 and 4. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government states that, in line with section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has begun implementing measures to ensure that a prescribed percentage of positions in the public and private sectors is reserved for persons with disabilities. In order to build consensus between all stakeholders and to ensure public support, the Government states that this process entails consultations with the Public Employment Exchange services, the Zambia Federation of Employees and others. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2012, and on other programmes and measures adopted to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. Please also provide information on the developments concerning reserved employment positions in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Vocational training and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Government recalls that the empowerment programmes of ZAPD’s National Trust Fund for Persons with Disabilities continue to provide microcredit to persons with disabilities in order to enable them to engage in livelihood activities. The Government also refers to the statutory prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability in employment in the Persons with Disability Act, 2012, which further ensures the precedence of the National Disability Law over any legislation on the sub-constitutional level. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on the number of persons with disabilities that have participated in empowerment programmes, such as the microcredit programmes, and on other vocational training and employment measures taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition
Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee noted with interest the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 6 of 2012. It also noted that the draft National Policy on Disability had not yet been considered by Cabinet. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Policy on Disability and its resulting impact on the actual integration of persons with disabilities within the open labour market. Please also provide information on the results of any surveys on disability once they have been completed and other statistical data on the vocational integration of persons with disabilities, in so far as possible, disaggregated on the basis of gender, occupation and income.
Articles 3 and 4. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government indicated that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) had embarked on various media campaigns and has engaged employers with respect to the creation of a conducive working environment for persons with disabilities. The Committee noted that section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, provides that the ZAPD shall, in consultation with the relevant institutions, secure the reservation of a prescribed percentage of positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, and on any other programmes or measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. Please also provide information on the developments concerning reserved positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities.
Article 7. Adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the steps taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2012 and notes with interest the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 6 of 2012. Further to providing the framework to promote employment for persons with disabilities, the Act also continues the existence of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) and the National Trust Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The Government reports that data on disability was collected in the 2008 Labour Force Survey but was not analysed by the Central Statistical Office due to budget constraints. Furthermore, the Government indicates that it is in the process of incorporating disability in the 2012 Labour Force Survey and will consider including more data capturing questions on disability in the next questionnaire used for the census. The Committee notes that a survey was conducted in 2006 which established that 25.3 per cent of persons with disabilities were employed at the time of the survey and 57.2 per cent of persons with disabilities had never been employed. It also notes from the Government’s report that the draft National Policy on Disability has yet to be considered by Cabinet. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the implementation of the National Policy on Disability and its resulting impact on the actual integration of persons with disabilities within the open labour market (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the results of any surveys on disability once they have been completed and other statistical data on the vocational integration of persons with disabilities, in so far as possible, disaggregated on the basis of gender, occupation and income (Part V of the report form).

Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the ZAPD has embarked on various media campaigns and has engaged employers with respect to the creation of a conducive working environment for persons with disabilities. It also indicates that the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1996, through the Fifth National Development Plan has not been comprehensive due to budget constraints which lead to poor resource allocation towards programmes. In its report, the Government further states that it put in place a tax incentive for organizations employing persons with disabilities. The incentive is meant to serve as affirmative action to enhance employment placement of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, provides that the ZAPD shall, in consultation with the relevant institutions, secure the reservation of a prescribed percentage of positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities. In its report, the Government indicates that this percentage will be enforced through a statutory instrument to be signed by the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2012, and on any other programmes or measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. Please also provide information on the developments concerning reserved positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Government recalls that it has established the National Trust Fund for Persons with Disabilities to provide microcredit to persons with disabilities. The recipients are trained in entrepreneurial skills before receiving the loans. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the steps taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2009 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition
The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2008 which includes replies to its 2006 direct request and a copy of the National Employment and Labour Market Policy of November 2004.
Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Government reports that the draft National Policy on Disability is being circulated to the stakeholders for comments. The Committee notes that under the National Employment and Labour Market Policy, the Government intends to adopt special measures to address challenges faced by persons with disabilities, with the goal of mainstreaming persons with disabilities in employment and to increase their employment opportunities. In so doing, the Government has come up with strategies in the Policy such as developing special skills training programmes for persons with disabilities and increasing their access to credit facilities. The Committee notes that the 2007 Decent Work Country Programme for Zambia mentions the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality Project, which has provided training in business skills for women entrepreneurs, including women with disabilities. It has also been assisting various associations of women entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities’ organizations, as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations to enable them to better serve the needs of women entrepreneurs. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the Government’s next report information on the implementation of the National Policy on Disability and of the Decent Work Country Programme and their resulting impact on the actual integration of persons with disabilities within the open labour market (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the results of any surveys on disability once they have been completed and other statistical data on the vocational integration of persons with disabilities, in so far as possible, segregated on the basis of gender, occupation and income (Part V of the report form).
Article 3. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government recalls that the Persons with Disability Act, 1996, promotes employment for persons with disabilities by eliminating all forms of discrimination on grounds of disability. In its report, the Government further stated that persons with disabilities enjoy the principle of non-discrimination in respect of vocational training and chances of employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 1996, and on any other measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on the programmes created by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for persons with disabilities, as envisaged in the Fifth National Development Plan.
Article 7. Evaluation and adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) provides vocational guidance services to all persons with disabilities while the National Trust for Disabled (NTD) provides microcredit to persons with disabilities. The National Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre in Ndola provides skills training for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information, if possible supported by statistics, on the steps taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2009 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2008 which includes replies to its 2006 direct request and a copy of the National Employment and Labour Market Policy of November 2004.

1. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Government reports that the draft National Policy on Disability is being circulated to the stakeholders for comments. The Committee notes that under the National Employment and Labour Market Policy, the Government intends to adopt special measures to address challenges faced by persons with disabilities, with the goal of mainstreaming persons with disabilities in employment and to increase their employment opportunities. In so doing, the Government has come up with strategies in the Policy such as developing special skills training programmes for persons with disabilities and increasing their access to credit facilities. The Committee notes that the 2007 Decent Work Country Programme for Zambia mentions the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality Project, which has provided training in business skills for women entrepreneurs, including women with disabilities. It has also been assisting various associations of women entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities’ organizations, as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations to enable them to better serve the needs of women entrepreneurs. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the Government’s next report information on the implementation of the National Policy on Disability and of the Decent Work Country Programme and their resulting impact on the actual integration of persons with disabilities within the open labour market (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the results of any surveys on disability once they have been completed and other statistical data on the vocational integration of persons with disabilities, in so far as possible, segregated on the basis of gender, occupation and income (Part V of the report form).

2. Article 3. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government recalls that the Persons with Disability Act, 1996, promotes employment for persons with disabilities by eliminating all forms of discrimination on grounds of disability. In its report, the Government further stated that persons with disabilities enjoy the principle of non-discrimination in respect of vocational training and chances of employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 1996, and on any other measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on the programmes created by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for persons with disabilities, as envisaged in the Fifth National Development Plan.

3. Article 7. Evaluation and adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) provides vocational guidance services to all persons with disabilities while the National Trust for Disabled (NTD) provides microcredit to persons with disabilities. The National Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre in Ndola provides skills training for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information, if possible supported by statistics, on the steps taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

2. Article 3. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government recalls that the Persons with Disability Act, 1996, promotes employment for persons with disabilities by eliminating all forms of discrimination on grounds of disability. In its report, the Government further stated that persons with disabilities enjoy the principle of non-discrimination in respect of vocational training and chances of employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 1996 and on any other measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on the programmes created by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for persons with disabilities, as envisaged in the Fifth National Development Plan.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. In its report received in August 2006, the Government indicates the recent adoption of the National Policy on Disability. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in its next report, a general description of the national policy concerning the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. It asks the Government to communicate a copy of the document on the National Policy on Disability.

2. Article 3. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government states, once again, that it does not have sufficient resources to be able to grant loans to disabled persons wanting to start their own businesses. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any other measures, adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.

3. Article 7. Evaluation and adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. In its report, the Government indicates that it is doing its utmost to make it possible to integrate persons with disabilities into occupational training institutions and formal and informal education systems. It indicates that the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, through the Zambian Disabled Persons Agency, will collaborate with other actors to provide services, in particular vocational training to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the steps taken to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s statement to the effect that it will communicate statistical information as soon as it becomes available from the Statistics Department, and invites the Government once again to provide full information in its next report, on the application of the Convention in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. In its report received in August 2006, the Government indicates the recent adoption of the National Policy on Disability. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in its next report, a general description of the national policy concerning the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. It asks the Government to communicate a copy of the document on the National Policy on Disability (Article 2 of the Convention).

2. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government states, once again, that it does not have sufficient resources to be able to grant loans to disabled persons wanting to start their own businesses. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any other measures, adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market (Article 3).

3. Evaluation and adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. In its report, the Government indicates that it is doing its utmost to make it possible to integrate persons with disabilities into occupational training institutions and formal and informal education systems. It indicates that the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, through the Zambian Disabled Persons Agency, will collaborate with other actors to provide services, in particular vocational training to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the steps taken to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment (Article 7).

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s statement to the effect that it will communicate statistical information as soon as it becomes available from the Statistics Department, and invites the Government once again to provide full information in its next report, on the application of the Convention in practice.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2007.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Article 2 of the Convention. The Government states that it has established an Agency for Persons with Disabilities. It also has completed the draft national policy pertaining to vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities and is awaiting final approval. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the national policy once it has been approved.

Article 3. The Government states that it has incorporated the National Trust Scheme for the disabled, which provides loans to persons with disabilities wanting to start their own businesses, in the Persons with Disabilities Act in order to give it legal recognition. However, the Government adds that little progress has been made due to insufficient funds and it encloses an evaluation which identifies some of the problems encountered with the Scheme. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate receiving further details on the follow-up action taken in the light of the review’s findings.

Article 7. Please provide information on the vocational guidance provided to persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Further to previous comments, the Government states that the statistics department was established only in 1998, and therefore is not yet in a position to supply information on the practical application of the Convention. But the Government will do so in its next report. The Committee looks forward to receiving such information.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Article 3. The Government states that it has incorporated the National Trust Schemefor the disabled, which provides loans to persons with disabilities wanting to start their own businesses, in the Persons with Disabilities Act in order to give it legal recognition. However, the Government adds that little progress has been made due to insufficient funds and it encloses an evaluation which identifies some of the problems encountered with the Scheme.The Committee notes this information and would appreciate receiving further details on the follow-up action taken in the light of the review’s findings.

Article 7. Please provide information on the vocational guidance provided to persons with disabilities.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report for the period ending June 1999.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Government states that it has established an Agency for Persons with Disabilities. It also has completed the draft national policy pertaining to vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities and is awaiting final approval. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the national policy once it has been approved.

Article 3. The Government states that it has incorporated the National Trust Scheme for the disabled, which provides loans to persons with disabilities wanting to start their own businesses, in the Persons with Disabilities Act in order to give it legal recognition. However, the Government adds that little progress has been made due to insufficient funds and it encloses an evaluation which identifies some of the problems encountered with the Scheme. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate receiving further details on the follow-up action taken in the light of the review's findings.

Article 7. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the vocational guidance provided to persons with disabilities.

Part V of the report form. Further to previous comments, the Government states that the statistics department was established only in 1998, and therefore is not yet in a position to supply information on the practical application of the Convention. But the Government will do so in its next report. The Committee looks forward to receiving such information.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Government states that initial action has been made to formulate a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, and that an inter-ministerial committee established for that purpose has made recommendations concerning the formulation of employment policy and enacting a law for provision of vocation rehabilitation and employment for the disabled. It also indicates that economic difficulties create unfavourable conditions for the implementation of these recommendations. The Committee appreciates the efforts made to promote the application of the Convention and hopes that the Government will be able to supply, in its next report, information on the progress made in the formulation and implementation of the national policy, in accordance with this Article. It also asks the Government to communicate a text of the law on vocational rehabilitation and employment of the disabled referred to above, as soon as it is adopted.

Article 3. The Committee notes the Government's indications concerning the establishment in 1994 of the National Trust Scheme for the disabled, which provides an opportunity for disabled persons to establish small-scale business in their field of interest. It would be grateful if the Government would supply, in its next report, information on other measures taken or envisaged in order to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons in the open labour market, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. The Committee notes brief indications in the report concerning the activities of various bodies providing vocational guidance, vocational training, placement and employment for disabled persons. It would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on measures taken to give fuller effect to this Article, including those taken with a view to evaluating various services available to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Point V of the report form. The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to provide, in its next report, information on the application of the Convention in practice, including for example statistics, extracts from studies, inquiries or reports, in particular, the annual report of the Council for the Handicapped, as soon as it becomes available.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee has noted with interest the information supplied by the Government in its first report on the application of the Convention. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would supply additional information on the following points:

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement in the report, according to which there is currently no express national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons in Zambia. It also notes the Government's indications to the effect that rehabilitation of the disabled is implemented in practice through the existence of various institutions and that there is an implied policy which is implemented through the Council for the Handicapped and the Commission for the Handicapped, an office in the Ministry of Labour, Social Development and Culture. The Government states that there has not been any comprehensive review of the national policy, but that there is an ongoing review in the context of the Council and Commission for the Handicapped. The Committee points out that this Article of the Convention requires the Government to "formulate, implement and periodically review a national policy" on the matter. It would be grateful if the Government would supply more detailed information concerning the manner in which this principle of the Convention is implemented. It hopes that the next report will give particulars of the ongoing review mentioned and its results.

Article 3. The Government states that its implied policy is to promote employment of disabled persons in the open labour market, and indicates that it assists blind persons (through reservation of positions) in their placement as switchboard operators in the public service. Please indicate whether there are any other measures taken or envisaged aiming at promoting employment opportunities for all categories of disabled persons in the open labour market, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe in more detail the arrangements made to give fuller effect to this Article, including the various services available and any adaptation thereof to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Point V of the report form. Please provide supplementary information concerning the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including extracts from studies, inquiries or reports, in particular, for example, the annual report that the Council for the Handicapped is required to submit under the law of 1968.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows: