Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Kuwait (Ratification: 1998)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Kuwaiti legislation guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities in respect of recruitment and employment. Law No. 8 of 2010 on the rights of persons with disabilities provides that employers must provide an adequate work environment for persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Government adds that employers are required to recruit workers on equal terms, without discrimination. The Committee notes that the Government refers once again to section 14 of Law No. 8 of 2010, which stipulates that governmental, non-governmental organizations and enterprises in the oil sector employing at least 50 Kuwaiti workers should employ at least 4 per cent of persons with disabilities. The Government also refers to section 15 of Law No. 8 of 2010, which provides that employers must identify suitable job vacancies for persons with disabilities and submit a regular report thereon every six months to the authorities. The Committee notes, in addition, that in 2019 during its latest examination of the situation in Kuwait, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) had expressed concerns about the lack of inclusive employment policies and the low employment rate of persons with disabilities, despite existing quotas. The CRPD also noted that there were limited employment opportunities for non-Kuwaiti persons with disabilities and insufficient information on sanctions for non-compliance with employment quotas and denial of reasonable accommodations. Additionally, the committee pointed out the lack of disaggregated data on persons with disabilities in employment. To address these issues, the Committee recommended utilizing a strategy developed by the Public Authority for Disability Affairs to enhance employment opportunities and ensure the 4 per cent employment quota is met. This includes providing individualized support and prohibiting the denial of reasonable accommodations at all stages of employment. Mechanisms should be established to address discrimination in employment and working conditions. Furthermore, data collection on persons with disabilities in employment should be strengthened and disaggregated by various factors such as age, gender, nationality, disability, geographical area, and employment sector (CRPD/C/KWT/CO/1). In view of the above and noting that no statistical data was included in the Government’s report under the present Convention, the Committee must recall that the obligations to formulate, implement and periodically review a national policy to promote the employment of persons with disabilities established by the Convention cannot be effectively achieved where no statistical information is collected to feed into policy development and review processes. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken or envisaged to collect statistical information related to persons with disabilities and their situation vis a vis employment and the labour market. The Government is also requested to indicate steps taken to periodically review the implementation of Law No. 8 of 2010 with a view to effectively promoting the rights of persons with disabilities to secure, retain, and advance in suitable employment, as required by the Convention.

Article 5. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that it collaborates on an ongoing basis with the General Union of Workers of Kuwait and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry with respect to policies on the rights of persons with disabilities. The majority of rehabilitation and recruitment campaigns concerning persons with disabilities are conducted with the participation of civil society organizations for persons with disabilities. The General Authority for Manpower invites, coordinates and consults with these organizations on all matters of benefit to persons with disabilities with regard to rehabilitation and vocational training and the working environment, including in the drafting of training and vocational rehabilitation and employment policies. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific information on the manner in which it collaborates with the representative organizations of employers and workers on the matters covered by the Convention, including by reference to the most recent consultations held, and to indicate the outcome of these consultations and how they feed into the periodic review of the national policy on employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that it is taking all the necessary measures, in cooperation with the social partners, to ensure the rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The General Authority for Manpower, in cooperation with General Authority for Disability Affairs, takes particular care of this group of jobseekers in terms of creating adequate job opportunities for persons with disabilities, in accordance with the type and degree of disability. For example, the General Authority for Manpower has marketed graduates and jobseekers with disabilities to private sector companies and prioritized their appointment, with a view to their social integration and participation in the labour market. The General Authority for Manpower has also updated and developed rules and procedures for contributions to the cost of training for Kuwaitis working in non-governmental entities, with persons with disabilities receiving the highest contribution of up to 75 per cent of the cost of training programmes. The Government further indicates that it held numerous career days for the appointment of jobseekers, including jobseekers with disabilities, in private sector companies. The Committee notes that the Government refers once again to section 12 of Law No. 8 of 2010, which mentions that the Government undertakes to provide rehabilitation and training centres, and training workshops for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information, including disaggregated data, on the impact of the measures taken to provide vocational training, employment and other related services to persons with disabilities to enable them to secure, retain and advance in employment.

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

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous direct request, including detailed statistical information. The Government indicates that the number of workers with special needs increased from 119 in 2011 to 139 in 2012, and the number of jobseekers with special needs increased from 5 in 2012 to 23 in 2013. The Committee notes that section 14 of Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning Rights of People with Disabilities stipulates that governmental, non-governmental organizations and enterprises in the oil sector employing at least 50 Kuwaiti workers should employ at least 4 per cent of persons with disabilities and the Government may provide incentives to workplaces exceeding the quota. The Government indicates that the Civil Service Office decided to nominate persons with disabilities at different ministries by adapting the procedure of appointment, residence and specialization under the condition of being registered as a privileged category with special conditions. The Government also indicates that the Public Authority for the Disabled adopted the world classification system of disability in accordance with World Health Organization standards, in collaboration with the United National Development Programme, and set up an integrated classification system of disability. The Committee notes that the Public Authority for the Disabled endeavours to integrate persons with disabilities, provide suitable jobs in accordance with the type and degree of disabilities, and provide opportunities of rehabilitation to persons with severe disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information, including statistical data, on the implementation of the measures taken under Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the Rights of People with Disabilities and other measures relating to vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that section 9 of Law No. 8 stipulates that the Government should provide educational services to persons with disabilities, providing aid equipment and specialized pedagogical and occupational staff. Moreover, section 12 commits the Government to providing Rehabilitation and Training Centres and training workshops for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the results of the implementation of the measures taken to provide vocational training, employment and other related services to persons with disabilities under the Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Article 5. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee once again invites the Government to provide information on the manner in which the representative organizations of workers participate in the consultations required by the Convention.

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

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the 2005 direct request in its report supplied in October 2009, and the full documentation attached. The Government indicates that it provides persons with disabilities with vocational guidance and training which correspond to their capacities and needs. In 2007, a new centre was established for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The Government adds that the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities is based on the following elements: appraisal, vocational guidance and preparation, vocational training and integration into the labour market, and the monitoring of graduates by training centres. The Committee takes note of the statistical data on the number of persons with disabilities who have received vocational training, distributed among the various vocational workshops established in training centres. The Committee notes with interest the “Charter of Hope for the Disabled 2009” adopted by the Kuwait Society for the Disabled and the National Association of Institutions Working in the Field of Disability, which enumerates the measures to be implemented in relation to social benefits, training and the integration of persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing in its next report practical and statistical information (disaggregated as much as possible by age, sex and the nature of the disability) on the measures adopted to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to ensure that effect is given to the Charter of Hope for the Disabled 2009.

Article 7. Services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that measures are taken by the Civil Service Office responsible for recruitment in the public sector to assist with the integration of persons with disabilities; 1,124 persons with disabilities were selected by the Higher Council for Public Sector Recruitment with a view to their recruitment in the public sector. The Committee notes the 2007 paper on the measures taken to facilitate the mobility of persons with disabilities, particularly in public spaces, and the related safety standards. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the various vocational guidance and training, placement, employment and other related services intended to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 5. Consultation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the Service for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities participates in the meetings of the commissions of the Higher Council on Disability Issues with a view to discussing issues related to training and the integration of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the “Charter of Hope for the Disabled 2009” recommends that the Higher Council on Disability Issues should include among its members representatives of all associations engaged in the field of disability. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the representative organizations of workers, such as the Kuwait Trade Union Federation, also participate in the consultations required by the Convention.

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

1. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation and periodical revision of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the detailed information received from the Government in relation to its 2003 direct request including data on the training received by female and male workers with disabilities and the occupations in which they are engaged in particular in the public sector. It would appreciate to continue to receive indications on the manner in which the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities is implemented in practice, and how it is periodically reviewed. Please indicate how employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are promoted in the open labour market. Please continue to supply statistics, extracts of reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention (Part V of the report form).

2. The Committee notes that section 12 of Act No. 49 of 1996 requests that the Government’s facilities and other public areas observe international criteria needed by persons with disabilities. The State shall also provide persons with disabilities with means of transportation to facilitate their mobility. The Committee asks the Government to describe the measures taken to adapt existing services to accommodate people with disabilities in order to enable them to secure, retain and advance in employment, as required by Article 7.

3. Article 5. Consultation of the social partners. The Committee notes the organization and the work done by the Higher Council on Disability Issues. It requests the Government to indicate how the representatives of workers’ organizations, such as the Kuwait Trade Union Federation, are included in the consultations required by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Further to its 2001 direct request, the Committee notes the report received in November 2002 including details on how the provisions of Act No. 49 of 1996 on the welfare of disabled persons give effect to the Convention. It would appreciate receiving further information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee has noted the provisions of sections 3, 6 and 15 of Act No. 49 by which regular, comprehensive and continuous services are envisaged for persons with disabilities, 2 per cent of public sector employment is reserved for them and rehabilitation, workshops and sheltered employment are provided to persons with disabilities. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide indications on the manner in which the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities is implemented in practice, and how it is periodically reviewed.

Article 3. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the vocational rehabilitation measures that are made available to all categories of persons with disabilities (not only for workers in the public sector) and the manner in which employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are promoted in the open labour market.

Article 4. The Committee asks the Government to indicate any measures adopted to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment for disabled men and women workers. Please indicate any special positive measures aimed at effective equality of opportunity and treatment between workers with disabilities, whether men or women, and other workers.

Article 5. The Committee notes that the Higher Council on Disability Issues was established by Part 4 of Act No. 49 and includes representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities and of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Kuwait. It asks the Government to describe the functioning in practice of the Higher Council and to indicate how the representatives of workers’ organizations are included in the consultations required by the Convention.

Article 7. The Committee asks the Government to describe more fully the measures taken to adapt existing services to accommodate people with disabilities in order to enable them to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 9. Please provide further information on the measures taken to ensure that rehabilitation counsellors and other staff are suitably qualified.

Part V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for example statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the text of Law No. 49 of 1996 on the Welfare of Disabled Persons forwarded by the Government in its first report, which was received in November 2000. The Committee recalls the particular importance of submitting a detailed first report, which provides the basis for its initial assessment of the observance of ratified Conventions. The Committee therefore would appreciate receiving more detailed information on each of the issues raised in the report form as well as further information on the application of the Convention in practice, as requested under Part V of the report form adopted by the Governing Body.