DOLE Issues Reminders for Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Workplace

On 11 July 2023, in celebration of the 2023 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued Labor Advisory No. 15, Series of 2023 (“Advisory”) to remind all employers to ensure the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (“PWDs”) in the workplace.

Accordingly, the Advisory directs employers to implement laws, policies, and programs that:

1. Provide equal opportunity for employment (private corporations with more than 100 employees are encouraged to reserve at least 1% of all positions for persons with disabilities); 

2. Prohibit discrimination against qualified PWDs in regard to job application, hiring, job training, promotion, compensation or discharge of employees, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment;

3. Secure a barrier-free environment for PWDs to have access to public and private buildings per Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices;

4. Facilitate the access of PWDs to express or priority lanes in all commercial and government establishments, in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them; and
   
5. Support, protect, and promote the rights of PWDs.