The document provides information about the employment and health rights of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh. It discusses that around 16.1 million people in Bangladesh have disabilities. While laws have been passed to protect disability rights, persons with disabilities still face barriers to accessing education, employment and healthcare. The document outlines government quotas for disability employment and lists vocational training programs to help persons with disabilities gain skills and find jobs. It provides a list of pro-disability employers in Bangladesh and their commitment to hiring persons with disabilities.

1. Employment &
Health Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
in Bangladesh
INFO BOOK

2. Employment &
Health Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
in Bangladesh
ActionAid Bangladesh
InfoBook
House 8 (Old), SE(C) 5/B (New), Road 136,
Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212
Phone: +88 02 55044851-7, Fax: +88 02 55044858
Email: aab.mail@actionaid.org
Web: www.actionaid.org/bangladesh
Developed and Compiled by
Md. Abdul Koddus (Jahid)
Edited by
Md. Khairul Islam
Rubayat Ahsan

3. Being disabled should not mean
being disqualified from
having access to every aspect of life.
Emma Thompson
British Actress and Writer
1
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries of
the world, with around 160 million people living on its small
land. The World Bank estimated that as of 2011, 15% of the
world's population lives with disability. According to the World
Disability Report (2011), the number of persons with disabilities
in Bangladesh has reached 16.1 million, with a proportion of
75% adults and 25% children. Persons with disabilities are less
likely to access basic services such as education, employment
and healthcare due to stigma, discrimination and
inaccessibility. Hence, the lack of access to information of
about essential services and programmes leads to their further
marginalisation and exclusion.
While Bangladesh has recently transitioned from a Least
Developed Country (LDC) to Lower Middle-Income Country
(LMIC) according to the World Bank, the country now
presumably has the capacity to provide safety nets to its
citizens. According to the International Convention on Human
Rights, every citizen has an equal right to receive
state-provided services, e.g. the right to education, right to
adequate food, housing and social security irrespective of
nationality, place of birth and residence, gender, national or
ethnic origin, race, religion or identity. Persons with disabilities
are entitled to the same rights guaranteed by International
human rights treaties.

4. According to an estimate of the World Bank in 2011, around
3.4 million children and 10.2 million adults are living with
disabilities in Bangladesh.
Children with Disabilities (0-18)
75%
Adults with Disabilities (18+)
25%
Disability
2
Disability is human condition to which nobody is immune. It
is a social issue, a societal problem, as well as a physical
one. It is not necessary to have a physical disability to face
such issues; social attitudes also can make a person
disabled by restricting him or her from access to certain
services.
Disability is an umbrella term which includes -
Physical impairments - Impairment is a problem in body
functions or structure(s)
Activity limitations - An activity limitation is a difficulty
encountered by an individual in executing a task or action
Participation restrictions - Participation restriction is a
problem experienced by an individual in involvement in
life situations, according to the World Health Organization
(WHO).

5. International and National
Legislative Initiative
On 13 December 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to
promote, protect and ensure full access and equal
participation of persons with disabilities to all human rights
and fundamental freedoms. The convention encompasses a
number of key areas, such as accessibility, personal mobility,
education, health, rehabilitation and employment.
In Bangladesh, the Rights and Protection of Persons with
Disabilities Act of 2013 was enacted as a means to protect
the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The act is
meant to guarantee educational, physical and mental
development of persons with disabilities, as well as support
their participation in social and state activities by preventing
discrimination and removing barriers. The law put forth 16
rights of persons with disabilities which are provided through
3

6. I choose not to place `Dis' in my ability
Robert M. Hansel
Guinness World Records holder
for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair
Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
Article 3: General Principles
a) Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy
including the freedom to make one's own
choices, and independence of persons;
b) Non-discrimination;
c) Full and effective participation and inclusion in
society;
d) Respect for difference and acceptance of
persons with disabilities as part of human
diversity and humanity;
e) Equality for opportunity
f) Accessibility
g) Equality between men and women
h) Respect for the evolving capacities of children
with disabilities and respect for the right of
children with disabilities to preserve their
identities.
4

7. their National Identity Cards. As part of these 16 rights,
employment is mentioned in section 10 of the Act, stating
that ‘person with disability have right to be employed in
government and private institutions’. Persons with
disabilities have the diversified knowledge, skills and
abilities to succeed in today's rapidly changing
workplace. From company headquarters to the factory
door, technology continues to radically alter the way
individuals work, helping to create level the playing field
for individuals with disabilities and as a result, employers
get maximum benefit from their productive output.
5

8. This Info book provides
stakeholders and persons with
disabilities with information on:
Disability and responsibilities
The process of enrolling in the sector
The gaps and requirements
Means of access in the public services
6

9. Commitments and Drawbacks
Persons with disabilities face difficulties in accessing
government and private sector jobs even though jobs are
reserved for them through quotas: 10% of third and fourth
grade jobs are reserved for orphans and persons with
disabilities for, as well as 1% of first and second grade jobs.
But due to lack of sensitization of employers about the
potential of persons with disabilities, contradictory
employment policies, loopholes in the system and improper
monitoring, the declared quota for the persons with
disabilities has never been implemented properly (Disabilities
Rights Watch Group, 2010).
It is also known that some companies have an interest in
recruiting persons with disabilities, but cannot do so as there
is a lack of trained and educated persons with disabilities. It
is time to start employing persons with disabilities. This will
help protect and promote their right to employment, as well
as support national development. We need to think about the
abilities of persons with disabilities, rather their disabilities.
7

10. Focusing on ability, not disability1
Reason 1
Innovation - different paths, new discoveries
Persons with Disabilities are constantly innovating, as they
often need to find different ways to accomplish common
tasks. This type of creative thinking can translate into the
creation of new processes in the workplace that can improve
the work environment for all employees.
Reason 2
Office Culture - the benefits of another perspective
Persons with disabilities add to the rich culture of the
workplace and can even use their experiences to help
employers and colleagues gain new perspectives.
Reason 3
Social Cohesion - creating a positive environment
Perhaps the most visible impact of workplace diversity is the
effect it has on daily relationships within the workforce.
8
1
http://www.qualityoflifeobserver.com/content/5-reasons-why-focusing-ability
-not-disability-improves-workplace

11. Employees with disabilities overwhelmingly expressed
positive attitudes towards their bosses and colleagues, with
more than 90% citing that they got along well with their
supervisors. These types of positive relationships can have
an overall impact on the quality of life at work.
Reason 4
Performance - numbers don't lie
Integrating employees with disabilities is, more than ever, a
savvy business decision. It is showed that workers with
disabilities are more consistently rated average or above
average in terms of performance, quality and quantity of
work.
Reason 5
Reliability - someone you can count on
Employees with disabilities are often described by their
employers as, having a strong commitment to work, as well
as good punctuality records and lower absentee rates.
9

12. Long-term tips for employers2
Hiring - Encourage person with disability to apply.
Preparation - Persons with disabilities will be able to
contribute more if they can be given some training or
other orientation to their work.
Work- flow - Choosing and adjusting work according to
their capabilities, interest and skills will make sure that
they can do more.
Monitoring and Encouraging - Regular conversation
and encouraging with employees with disabilities will
make sure they have everything they need to work.
Accessibility - Physical environment and communica-
tions may need some adjustments
Partnership - Organizations working on disability can
support the actions listed here.
10
2
Bangladesh Employers Federation and ILO

13. Pro-disability employers
In 2014, ActionAid Bangladesh conducted a study on
“Mapping of Prospective Employers for Young Persons with
Disabilities”. We found that approximately 255 jobs were
expected to be generated in 2015 for persons with
disabilities. To select the pro-disability employers, four
factors were considered. We defined pro-disability
employers as those who fulfil at least three of the four
following factors:
At least 5 employees with disabilities
Accessible work environment
Future demand of recruiting persons with disabilities
Mention of disability in the Human Resource Policy
The study found 37 potential employers who have partial
accessibility for enabling work environment for persons with
disabilities.
11

14. Yearly Future
Demand of
Employees
with Disabilities
SL # Name of Employee
Total #
Employees with
Disabilities
1. ABA Group (Vintage Denim) 6 2
2. Acme Group 5 3
3. AKH Group (woven) 13 10
4. Aman Knitting Limited 28 3
5. Banglalink 5 2
6. Bitobi Garments 25 12
7. Chrony Group 50 7
8. Crystal Martin Apparel (BD) Limited 9 2
9. Dhaka South City Corporation 10 4
10. Epyllion Group 15 3
11. Fakruddin Textile Limited 64 3
12. FCI (BD) Limited 30 6
13. HopYick (BD) Limited 15 6
14. Interfab Shirt Manufacturing Ltd. 61 30
15. Intersoft Apparels Limited 50 8
16. KEYA Group (Partly accessible) 1100 100
17. Mahdeen Sweaters Limited 17 4
18. Meditex 7 2
19. Mohammadia Garments 8 3
20. Monno Ceramic Industries Limited 20 4
21. Narayangonj City Corporation 5 4
22. Nitol Niloy Group 12 1
23. One Way Textile 5 8
24. Paola Knitwear Private Limited 6 1
25. Pandora Sweaters Limited 22 4
12

15. Yearly Future
Demand of
Employees
with Disabilities
SL # Name of Employee
Total #
Employees with
Disabilities
26. Paula Knit Limited 5 2
27. Rahimafrooz Superstores Ltd. 5 1
28. Renata Limited 16 3
29. Saiham Knit Composite Limited 5 1
30. Samson Winter Wear Industries Ltd. 6 2
31. Shanta Industries Limited 18 5
32. Southern Garments 8 2
33. SQ Brichina Limited 6 3
34. SQ Celsius Limited 18 6
35. Square Group 82 6
36. Tongi Moitree Shilpa 46 5
37. Viyellatex Limited 25 3
13

16. Why are Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET)
required?
It's all to do with the training:
You can do a lot if you're properly trained
Elizabeth II
Queen of Great Britain
Persons with disabilities often find it very difficult to obtain
formal education. Even if some persons with disabilities go to
school, they cannot continue their education due to issues
such as lack of accessibility, unavailability of resources,
negative attitudes, etc. As such, if person with disabilities
could get training on any specific task, this could significantly
contribute to their ability to work or to get a job. We believe
that a highly trained workforce is the backbone of a strong
and diverse economy. Trained and skilled manpower is an
asset for a country. Employers hire and give more emphasis
to trained people in their recruiting process due to their
higher productivity.
A person with disability is able to receive training in the
following fields, depending on their interests and available
facilities: sewing machine operating, computer technology,
printing, agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, automobiles,
14

17. library management, typewriting, secretarial practices,
computer operating, mechanical, electrical, plumbing,
tailoring, beautician etc. The Government of Bangladesh has
endorsed the National Skills Development Policy in 2011,
whereby all facilities of vocational training are clearly
mentioned under Article-14 should improve access of
Under-Represented Groups.
15

18. Activities
Vocational training and rehabilitation support for the
persons with physical disabilities
Services
Accommodation, caretaking and treatment support
Short-duration industrial training for different types of
persons with disabilities
Sports and cultural programmes
Employment and rehabilitation programmes
Stipend of Taka 4,000 as a part of rehabilitation after
completion of training
Jobs in the ERPH Centre, depending on vacancy
Assistance in seeking employment in the government
and private sectors
Eligibility
Persons with physical disabilities between 14 and 24 years old
Timeline of Service
Admission procedure will be finalized within 15 days of
application
Training duration varies between 3 and 12 months
depending on type of trade
List of some Important Vocational
Training Institutes
Employment Rehabilitation Centre for the
Physically Handicapped (ERPH)
Station Road, Tongi, Gazipur (Total seat: 85)
Fakirhat, Bagerhat (Total seat: 30)
16

19. National Training and Rehabilitation Centre
for the Persons with Visual Disabilities
Tongi, Gazipur
Total seat: 50
Activities
National initiative for the training and rehabilitation for
persons with visual disabilities
Services
Accommodation, caretaking and treatment support
Handicrafts training using bamboo and cane, poultry
rearing and movement practice for persons with visual
disabilities
Sports and cultural programmes
Employment and rehabilitation programmes
Stipend of Taka 4,000 as a part of rehabilitation after
completion of training
Assistance in seeking employment in the government
and private sectors
Eligibility
Persons with visual disabilities between 14 and 24 years old
Timeline of Service
Admission procedure will be finalized within 15 days of
application
Training duration varies between 3 and 12 months
depending on type of trade
17

20. Activities
Production and marketing of plastic goods, jewellery, and
purified water
Services
Taking order and supplying plates, glasses, bowls, tea
cups, vessels, buckets, hangers, mugs, boxes,
one-time use plastic goods of various sizes for home or
official use. These are produced in fully automated
ultramodern facilities, with high standards and quality.
Producing, bottling, marketing and supplying of safe
drinking water in different sizes of bottles, which are
manufactured through reverse osmosis by imported,
automated machinery.
Eligibility
Everyone, with an 80% job quota for persons with
disabilities who will receive first receive training
according to need
Government, non-government, in-country or foreign
offices, institutes and organizations
Goods marketing agents, agencies, dealers and
wholesalers.
Timeline of Service
Generally supply immediately after getting the order
18
Moitree Shilpo (Friendship Industry)
Station Road, Tongi, Gazipur
Phone: 980 1167, 980 0302, 980 1489

21. 19
Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)
CRP-Chapain, Savar, Dhaka 1343
Phone: +880 2 774 5464-65
Ganakbari, Sreepur, DEPZ, Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka 1349
Phone: +880 2 778 9281
Activities
Vocational training on different trades
Services
Free vocational training, including food, accommodation
and training materials
VTI supports the trainees with medical and assisting
devices and equipment for self-employment
Certificates from the Bangladesh Technical Education
Board (BTEB) after completion of course
Opportunities to take part in national and international
competitions
VTI ensures job in prestigious companies especially in
garments and sweater factories after successful
completion of courses
Opportunities for participating in the different cultural
programmes
Special allowances for each person with disability after
end of training
Support for transportation, house rent and job tasks
during the first phase of employment
Regular monitoring to remove discrimination, provide a
disability-friendly working environment, remuneration
and other opportunities by the authority of CRP.
Non-Government Organization those
provide TVET for Persons with
Disabilities

22. 20
Eligibility
Most are persons with Spinal Cord Injuries and other
persons with disabilities such as Polio, Amputees, Visual,
Speech and Hearing from poorer backgrounds and work
as manual labourers.
Timeline of Service
Computer Office Application (6 months)
General Electronics (6 months)
Dress Making & Tailoring (6 months)
Industrial Sewing Machine Operator (2 or 4 months)
Linking Machine Operator (2 months)
Shop Management (1 month)

23. 21
Ministry of Social Welfare
Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
Contact:
Managing Director
National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons
House A/2, Section 14, Mirpur, Dhaka 1206
Phone: +880 2 803 350, E-mail: jpuf38@yahoo.com
Activities
Disability Service Centre
Services
One-stop service centre for persons with disabilities;
Free treatment services for all types of persons with
disabilities, including Physiotherapy, Occupational
Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Refraction,
Hearing test and Hearing Aid
Distribution and repair of assistive devices
Distribution of free learning materials
Library facilities
Collection and preservation of information of persons
with disabilities
Internet services
Eligibility
All types of persons with disabilities of all ages
Timeline of Service
Directly serves to the persons with disabilities in office
hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday (except
Government & others holiday).
Health and Rehabilitation Service

24. 22
Jesse Ventura
Former American wrestler, actor and Governor of Minnesota
Disabled persons need more invested
in their education, housing, job training,
transportation, assistive technology and
independent-living facilities. Governments
earn back this investment and more by
making persons with disabilities
economically productive citizens.