Ukrainian national network “TOGETHER” became the 40th member of Global Business and Disability Network

Ukrainian national network “TOGETHER” joined the Global Business and Disability Network established by the International Labor Organization, which includes countries that generate 70% of world GDP, in particular, the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Poland, India, Australia, China, Brazil, Argentina.

Thanks to the efforts of the companies that are part of the network, the employment rate of people with disabilities reaches 23% in the US, 44% in France, and 53% in the UK. "In Ukraine, the employment rate of workers with disabilities reaches only 17% - out of 2.5 million people with disabilities, about 430,000 are employed. We want to change the situation and contribute to the creation of conditions under which both companies and people with disabilities will be interested in cooperation. The issue is especially relevant during the war, when disability among civilians and military personnel increased by tens of thousands," said Oleksii Miroshnychenko, president of the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine.

In 2023, the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine launched the "Together" project, which established an information platform for the companies employing people with disabilities. Later, this platform has become a basement for the National Business and Disability Network which member will be able to gain the experience of international companies that have managed to turn challenges related to the employment of people with disabilities into opportunities and competitive advantages.

The networks in different countries include such companies as Canon, Microsoft, AXA, IBM, Ford, DuPont, HSBC, Airbus, AstraZeneca, Bloomberg, British Airways, Cisco, Carlsberg, Cambridge University.

"Against the background of a significant shortage of qualified workers, people with disabilities are extremely in demand. Their integration into the labor market will improve the quality of life and make them financially independent. Many Ukrainian companies have achieved significant success in integrating people with disabilities. We want to help more enterprises see new opportunities for development thanks to the hiring of employees with disabilities," said Oleksii Miroshnychenko.

As part of the "Together" project, the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine created a practical guide for employers who want to involve people with disabilities in their work. As part of the conducted research, the most problematic moments in attracting people with disabilities to the labor market and some ways to overcome them were identified.