Employment Of People With Disabilities In Romania

Abstract

Background: Promoting optimal social integration of people with disabilities, as active citizens, represents a major objective of Romanian health, social and political strategies.Methods: This paper represents a selective review of the statistic official information, published in 2015, by the National Authority for People with Disabilities (NAPD) and Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Assistance and Elderly (MLFSPEP). It represents an integrative approach, regarding the legislative and socio-economic framework, concerning the social protection, integration and employment of disabled people in Romania. Results:The total number of disabled people was 759,019 (3.41% of Romanian population). About 415,852 (54.8%) were aged between 18 and 64. Rate of employment of disabled persons is still very small (14%). People with somatic disability represent the most employed category (38.4%); least employed were the mental (3.1%) and psychiatric (5.2%) categories. About 722 authorized protected units (sheltered employment) were recorded in 2015.Discussion: A terminology clarification and unification approach, at national level (between concepts of disability vs. handicap), has become a necessity. Romanian legal frame regarding labour policy and working with disabilities imposes material obligations for employers (the 4% quota system) but also offers fiscal facilities for them. Disabled persons (with accentuated and severe disability/handicap) are exempt from income tax and complementary cumulate the non-taxable income and disability benefits. Conclusion:This is an integrative approach to the Romanian strategy and policy of (re-) employment of people with disabilities. It underlines the main achievements, improvements and limitations in the

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