November 2005
B&D – moving forward
Welcome to the 2nd issue of
B&D – moving forward
Business & Disability’s quarterly newsletter
Business & Disability: a European Network is the first European network to promote the business opportunities for inclusion of people with disabilities.B&D events: what’s been happening?
Business & Disability held its successful keynote event in the European Parliament in Brussels on June 16 th this year and called for improved EU workplace inclusiveness
The B&D keynote event left little doubt that a clear rallying call had been issued for a more inclusive workplace. As many of you who attended the event will know, it was hosted by UK Labour MEP Richard Howitt with participation from high level European Commission representatives, key figures of disability organisations and prominent business leaders.
In line with B&D's focus on promoting inclusion through physical Accessibility, e-Accessibility and Employment the event succeeded in highlighting the need to break through the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the business environment.
With an ageing population, Europe simply cannot afford to continue neglecting the economic potential of people with disabilities. Michael Takemura, Julien Ghez, Director Accessibility Center, IBM EMEA, and Jorge Ligüerre, Senior Vice-President Schindler Europe agreed that companies need to recognise the significant purchasing power of people with disabilities and the added value "Design for All" brings to the business world. As Mr Ligüerre said, " Design for All should be incorporated into the professional DNA of architects and product developers", acknowledging disabled people as customers and enabling them to take their opportunities in the business world.
Members of Business & Disability are under no illusion that it will be easy to achieve set objectives. However, they are committed to their cause or as Mr Jérôme Caille, CEO of Adecco and Keith Faulkner, Managing Director of Working Links, a Manpower joint venture company put it: " We do not trivialise the challenges that lie ahead. We will have to work hard to bring about change. However, for us to succeed we need to allow society to capitalise on the skills and enthusiasm people with disabilities can bring to their workplaces
Welcoming the initiative taken by the members of Business & Disability, MEP Richard Howitt said " you as business leaders are arguably in a better position to convince your ‘peers' of the benefits of employing disabled persons and how this can be achieved. "
The policy approach to the business world was presented by European Commission officials Odile Quintin, General Director, DG Employment and Social Affairs and Michel Ayral, Director, Regulatory Policy, DG Enterprise and Industry which Mrs Quintin summarized eloquently as " focussing on the ability behind disability ."
People with disabilities , she stressed, " do not want favours . They want the opportunity to prove their abilities and skills, to have the option to work, to earn a decent wage and provide for their families."
The event ended with strong agreement among the participants that inclusiveness must be further pushed as a key policy objective in order to realise the clear potential gains of integrating people with disabilities into all areas of business. A clear message has gone out to the Business and Policy world that these gains are in reach.
60 Seconds with… Marie-Anne Montchamp, advisor to President Chirac of France
Q: In your experience, what is the role of companies regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities?
Employment is a key factor for social inclusion of people with disabilities, as it is for all other citizens whether exposed or not to discrimination.
Companies that take all aspects of disability into account possess real and identifiable opportunities as there is much benefit to be derived from diversity; in management as much as from the economic growth that results from a better understanding of markets and consumer expectations.
Q: What is the desired relationship between the world of politics and business on the issue of inclusion of people with disabilities?
The recent law of February 2005 proposes to take charge of disability through assistance and national solidarity in relation to compensation and equal rights and opportunities.
In this context, companies are from now on considered as key economic actors. This dynamic policy aims at a better inclusion of people with disabilities in society and; as such, it calls for the active involvement of both people with disabilities and the world of business..
Both the public sector and companies are stakeholders regarding the inclusion of disability: the system cannot evolve without both of these.
Q: What do you think companies could do at European level?
Nowadays, it is in all companies' interest to enrich their own experiences and activities through the sharing of best practice at European level, although each individual company will need to deal with issues and situations that are specific to the historic, legal and social framework within which it operates.
Moreover, the legal framework influences the behaviours of stakeholders, so for a European policy on these issues to be coherent and relevant, we must draw inspiration from the realities that exist at national levels.
Thus, sharing experiences enriches and adds value; it allows evaluation of present practices and enables us to go beyond the natural reflex of solidarity that is so much a part of our European culture.
Feature focus: new employment legislation in France
On February 11 th 2005, new legislation regarding the employment of people with disabilities was introduced in France . Whilst this law has been effective since June 2005, most elements will come into application from January 1 st 2006. The law can be summarised in 10 points:
- The 6% quota is maintained
Companies with 20 employees or more must ensure that 6% of their employees are represented by people with disabilities
- Wider eligibility for people with disabilities
Two new eligible categories:
• holders of the "carte d'invalidité"
• persons receiving "l'allocation adulte handicapé"
- Non-discrimination reinforced
Employers are required to take appropriate measures to ensure equal treatment; including providing disabled workers with flexible working hours
- Negotiation
Employers are required to negotiate with social partners regarding the equal employment of disabled workers and to provide an annual report on the status of company hiring of people with disabilities
- Simplification of parameters
One person with disabled worker status is equal to one unit, applicable for fixed term contract employees of at least 6 months or more and for those on permanent contracts.
A prorata system is in application for temporary work contracts according to the length of time spent in a company over last 12 months
- Modular contribution to "Agefiph" (Fund Management Association for Labour Market Integration)
Allowing a reduction in employer contributions according to the severity of the disability of the person employed
- Increase in "Agefiph" ceiling contribution
From 500 times the minimum wage to 600 times the minimum wage
Any company refusing to take action regarding disability employment for a period of more than 3 years will see the contribution increase to 1,500 times the minimum wage
- Possibility to offset certain contribution expenses
This relates to expenses directly incurred by a company
- Sheltered Workshops become Adapted Companies
Allowing integration into the mainstream: labour market
- Public sector employment
Creation of a fund to allow employment within the public sector
B&D events: what’s coming next?
Business & Disability holds its first “Roadshow” in Paris on November 9 th 2005
During the coming months B&D will be organising a series of awareness raising and best practice sharing events throughout Europe to really spread the word about inclusiveness. These “Roadshows” are part of a two-year work programme that foresees activities in 12 Member States: Belgium , the Czech Republic , Finland , France , Germany , Hungary , Italy , the Netherlands , Poland , Spain , Sweden and the UK .
The first B&D Roadshow will take place in Paris at the “Press Club de France” on November 9 th 2005 and will involve an impressive cast of speakers and participants including Marie-Anne Montchamp, advisor to President Chirac of France who will open the event.
The Roadshow is designed to be very interactive and will feature:
• a Forum for the exchange of best practices
• a facilitated, interactive 360° discussion based on the themes that come out of the Forum
• a panel discussion involving all key stakeholders to address issues including awareness raising, changing mentalities and behaviours and legislation
We are look forward to welcoming you all to an exciting and stimulating event!
B&D will be hosting its 2 nd Roadshow in Madrid on December 12 th 2005. Visit the B&D website to learn more…
Tell us what you think?
We appreciate your thoughts!
If you have any comments or thoughts about B&D – moving forward or have any information you would like to share with us, we would like to hear from you. Please email B&D at info@businessanddisability.org
For more information and updates on all B&D events, visit the Business & Disability website: www.businessanddisability.org
B&D members:
B&D contact details:
Address:
Business & Disability: a European Network
402 Avenue de Tervuren
B-1150 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 777.05.17
Fax: + 32 2 777.05.30
Email: info@businessanddisability.org
Website: www.businessanddisability.org