EU Disability Employment Package

The Disability Employment Package1is one ofthe 7 flagship initiatives of the EU Strategy forthe Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. It was presented by the EuropeanCommission in 2022 to improve the conditionsof people with disabilities in the EU labourmarket, given that currently only 50.8% ofpersons with disabilities of working age in theEuropean Union (EU) are employed. Theunderlying principle is that being active inemployment is the best way to promote andguarantee social inclusion and financialautonomy of persons with disabilities. All itsactions aim to increase the employment rate ofpersons with disabilities and make sure thateveryone has equal opportunities. The packagedoes not only cover employment but alsoaccess to long-term quality health and socialcare.

The initiative supports the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, proclaimed by the European institutions in 2017, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities (UNCRPD), especially art. 27 that recognizes the right of persons withdisabilities to employment, and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable andinclusive economic growth (specifically, goals 8 and 10). The European Pillar of Social Rights creates a framework for the development of employment and social policies at Europeanand Member States levels.

In 2021, the framework was accompanied by the EuropeanPillar of Social Rights Action Plan presenting concrete steps to achieve a more equal, fair, and inclusive society by 2030. As cited above, the promotion of health and (long-term) care is taken into consideration in the third and last chapter which concerns social protection and inclusion. However, the chapters are not mutually exclusive but they build upon each other. The last chapter of the initiative builds upon the European Care Strategy, issued in 2022, which seeks also to enhance work-life balance, childcare, and gender equality together with long-term care. Ultimately, the European Commission supports Member States in setting targets to improve social protection and inclusion, developing national policies for the green and digital transition, and monitoring their progress through the European Semester and statistical common indicators, such as the Disability Employment Gap.

EPR wrote a short briefing that outlines the singular initiatives composing the Package and their relevance for organisations, associations, and social enterprises working with people with a disability. EPR will continue to monitor the progress and implementation of the measuresand keep members updated and engaged.

Read our briefing on our website here.