LocationsInclusive Job Mediation Event
October 24, 2023
Opening remarks by Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia
Sain bainuu | Hello
Madame Ambassador Nicaise, Deputy Minister Zulp-har, Director Nyam-suren, ladies and gentlemen,
UN Secretary-General once said that “Achieving a world where all people have equal access to opportunities is a goal worth fighting for”.
It is absolutely vital that we ensure to ‘leave no one behind’ in our collective pursuit of development and prosperity.
Unfortunately, people living with disabilities are often left behind and face monumental challenges in their daily lives and in times of crises, such as the pandemic.
So the criticality to Act. Much faster. Together. To empower people living with disabilities in every aspect and ensure that their rights are protected including their ‘right to work’ - everywhere and in Mongolia - as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
While having a job may not solve all challenges, it is a crucial leverage that can be used for ensuring one’s dignity and economic self-sufficiency as well as social bonds.
Work opportunities for people living with disabilities are limited in Mongolia, as is the case in many countries. In Mongolian households with one or more persons living with disability, the poverty rate is twice as much compared to households without.
70% of the working-age people living with disabilities are unemployed mainly due to limited accessibility of infrastructure and information, and negative perception of disability among the public.
Mongolia has been striving to create an enabling environment by supporting employers to employ people with disabilities, purchase goods produced by people with disabilities, and many other incentives. Yet, we don’t see the increase in number of employed in the labour market.
This is why our project funded by the European Union is organizing this Inclusive Job Mediation Event to support over 50 active job seekers living with disability to find stable and inclusive jobs.
This is not a one-off event that only bridges job seekers with employers for potential employment. It is rather a series of innovative activities that has been implemented over a month now with the active collaboration of specialized job coaches and employers. Pre-screening, consultation, and mediation were used to look for a stable and inclusive job placement of job seekers.
I hope that as a result of this targeted support, all of you will secure a long-term stable employment with an inclusive working environment and supportive employers.
I also hope that the Government, Employers, NGOs, and development actors will further take this initiative – by internalizing it within the regular policies and practices, so that the approach becomes systemic and reaches many more in need.
I particularly would like to commend the private sector employers whom these job seekers will visit today for the commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development.
I close by thanking everyone who made this event possible including, our close partner and donor European Union, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Employers, and Media as well as the specialized coaches and consultants.
Bay-ral-laa | Thank you