Social protection and labour market policies for vulnerable groups from a social investment perspective. The case of Active Labour Market Policies for People with Disabilities in Latvia (RE-InVEST working paper series D5.1)

This report was prepared in the framework of the Europe H2020 project ‘Rebuilding an inclusive, value based Europe of solidarity and trust through social investments’ (RE-InVEST). The project adopts a participative approach that lends a voice to vulnerable groups and civil society organisations. The theoretical framework applied in the RE-InVEST project builds on a human rights and capabilities approach.

The evaluation of national/regional policies were carried out through participatory qualitative research from the perspective of the most vulnerable groups. Mixed focus groups were implemented this research in 8 countries (EN, IE, PT, CH, LV, BE, FR, AT). The analyses were carried out by the local partners, who consist of NGOs and/or research institutions.

The focus of the research on the disabled unemployed has been chosen because employment is becoming an increasingly more significant problem among persons with disabilities. In recent years Latvia has devoted increasing attention to ALMPs, which range from career counselling and job placement services to training programmes and hiring subsidies. In December 2015 the Government approved the Implementation plan from 2015-2017 of the Guidelines on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2014-2020. The Implementation Plan includes measures to promote people with disabilities’ integration into the labour market and their acquisition, development and improvement of work skills.

This report examines in what extend disabled unemployed have benefited from ALMP measures, how these measures meet their needs accordingly assessing the role of social protection and active labour market policies (ALMPs) from a social investment perspective. Particular attention was paid to the difficulties of integration into the labor market of the people with disabilities.

The disabled unemployed recommendations for improvement ALMP measures are the following:

It is necessary to provide training for specialists of the SEA who work with disabled unemployed persons.

One of the most significant problems that needs to be addressed to improve ALMP measures for people with disabilities is the implementation of a more personalised approach. The range of services should be developed and appropriate for the various types and severity of disability. It is necessary to expand the range of activities offered by the SEA to people with disabilities. In addition, it should be taken into account the regional specifics, labour market demand in the regions.

The disabled unemployed need more support and encouragement from the staff of the SEA which also means that it is necessary to educate specialists of the SEA for work with the disabled unemployed taking into consideration their specific needs and options to ensure respect for their human rights and their freedom to make their own choices.

Accessibility of the environment and the transport issues should be addressed. Much more attention should be paid to the quality of the offered jobs for the unemployed people with disabilities, they cannot be in their majority only low-paid jobs requiring low or no qualifications at all.

The RE-InVEST consortium has jointly developed the PAHRCA – a methodology that combines principles of Participatory Action research with Human Rights and Capability Approaches. This qualitative, participatory research does not produce representative results but rather aims to deepen the understanding of Active Labour Marketing Policies (ALMP) and Social Protection (SP) impacts on the lives of vulnerable people and give them a voice.