ILO report expresses concern over 'beneficiary-pays' requirement for the disabled
The International Labour Organization has expressed its concern over the Japanese "beneficiary-pays principle" regarding disabled people's use of services imposed under the so-called "self-support" assistance law.
"This is encouraging many disabled people, who are struggling to get the law scrapped," said Shimizu Toshiro, secretary of the National Union of Welfare and Childcare Workers.
Amid the increasing movement of people with disabilities and their families, the Hatoyama Cabinet has expressed an intention to abolish the law.
The law to assist the "self support" of the disabled classifies services needed by people with disabilities to live as "benefits" and requires them to pay 10 percent of the cost for services they receive at welfare workshops and other facilities.
Requested by the Japan Council on Disability, the National Union of Welfare and Childcare Workers made representations to the ILO claiming that the "self-support" law and Japan's other measures related to disabled people's employment violate ILO Convention No. 159, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, ratified by Japan in 1992.
The ILO report published in March 2009 in response to the representation stated, "Persons with disabilities are entitled, free of charge, to vocational rehabilitation and employment services". It also expressed concerns over the introduction of a fee they have to pay for the services they receive.
- Akahata, October 15, 2009