Advice Sought on Reforming the System to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities and Enhance Employment Opportunities

Mongolia is currently implementing the “Strengthening the System for Supporting the Employment of People with Disabilities” project in partnership with Japan’s JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) from 2021 to 2025. As part of the project, 16 nationally certified trainers are being trained to prepare job coaches, while 37 individuals with disabilities are being trained as resources to influence organizations and businesses. Additionally, over 200 individuals are being trained as job coaches to support the integration of people with disabilities into the workforce.

During a meeting between the Chief Advisor, JICA Project for Promoting Employment of PWDs in Mongolia, Hisao CHIBA, Ph.D, and Minister for Family, Labour, and Social Protection, Mr. L. Enkh-Amgalan, they discussed the progress of the project and the next steps. The project has already led to the establishment of development centers meeting international standards in six provinces and the capital, with support from the Asian Development Bank. JICA is also assisting in the preparation of human resources to support people with disabilities in the workplace.

The Minister requested guidance on reforming the system to ensure the proper management of these development centers from the outset, as well as how to ensure their financial sustainability. Additionally, the Minister sought advice on how to better integrate people with disabilities into the labor market.

Mr. Chiba shared that integrating people with disabilities into the labor market directly is challenging. In Japan, a gradual transition occurs after two years of welfare-based employment with a job coach. He also highlighted that, although the law mandates that companies with more than 25 employees employ people with disabilities, implementation has been weak. Companies failing to meet the requirement are required to pay a fee, which he suggested could be reframed as government-supported cooperation rather than a penalty. Mr. Chiba expressed his readiness to offer further advice and support to the Minister.