The Council of the EU adopted the Conclusions on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market

The Council of the EU adopted the Conclusions on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market

On 8th December, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, which brought together the ministers of employment and social policy of EU Member States, discussed and approved the Council Conclusions on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market. This type of document is not binding, but highlights issues that Member States need to address in their national policies.

In this case, Member States are invited to implement the guidelines of the Disability Employment Package, develop effective measures to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities, and ensure that social protection policies contribute to facilitating their employment while guaranteeing decent living standards to those outside the labour market. 

The Conclusions also acknowledged the key role of quality, personalised and accessible social services, as well as of social economy enterprises, which are considered essential to promote active citizenship and upskilling opportunities and can act as “bridges” between sheltered employment and the open labour market. 

>> Read the Council Conclusions here.