On June 15, the so-called Disability Pact was signed in Ecuador to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in work. It is motivated by the fact that it is about the government in the midst of difficulties in finding a job.

Since 2009, according to the Labor Law, public or private employers with more than 25 employees must have at least 4% of disabled people.

‘Shadow teachers’: in Guayaquil there are 90 teachers who work with students with special educational needs

The regulations establish it as an obligation, but it must also be recognized as a right, just like every citizen.

The principle of non-discrimination is in force in Ecuador. It is the duty of central government to promote inclusive workplaces.

special olympics

The website of the Ministry of Labor highlights data from the National Register of Disabilities of the Ministry of Public Health, updated until April 2023, according to which there are 543,045 qualified persons with disabilities in the country. It would be useful to know how many of them have an official job.

The Disability Pact was signed by the Ministry of Labor and the Codespa Foundation, a non-governmental organization for development cooperation that is present in the countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia. Every effort for inclusion deserves the applause of the citizens, but in order for the results to be visible, the organizations themselves must follow current public policies and promote new ones that enable real occupation of work spaces, without evasion and abuse.

It’s not guide dogs, it’s structural discrimination’: a visually impaired citizen warns of rights violations

It is a happy fact that people with disabilities who fight for inclusion, from their education, reach the goals of professionalization, and later work practice.

It suits the current Government and the candidates seeking the presidency on August 20 to worry about increasing jobs for all Ecuadorians, who want to join their efforts for the country’s development and inclusion. (OR)