The Ministry of Social Development and Family, represented by the Department of Community Welfare, organized a consultative meeting to discuss the ESCWA and ILO project, which was entitled “Integration of Persons with Disabilities into the Labor Market in Arab Countries,” yesterday, the eighth of October, in the Diamond Hall at the Velero Hotel Doha. This meeting discusses the methods of integrating and empowering this group and explains the policies for employing persons with disabilities in Qatar.

This meeting discusses the reality of people with disabilities in Arab countries. It also highlights the most vital demands they aspire to obtain, including their needs and desire to participate in society and integrate them into the labor market, as people in this category suffer from many obstacles and challenges that reduce or prevent their presence in the public and private sectors.

Mrs. Reem Khalifa Al-Ajmi, Director of the Community Welfare Department, stated that this meeting is a crucial opportunity for experts and those concerned with the issue of people with disabilities to exchange ideas and experiences to enhance their effective participation in the labor market.

The discussions centered on ways to achieve better integration of people with disabilities and provide equal opportunities to access sustainable employment opportunities. It touched on some issues related to people with disabilities, including the legislative measures and policies necessary to guarantee their rights and opportunities.

The Community Welfare Department at the Ministry explained the policy of the State of Qatar to enact legislation and ensure equality for persons with disabilities in the right to work, employment, and education. Decree No. (28) of 2008 of the law of the State of Qatar emphasized the interest in their right to find sufficient and appropriate opportunities for them in the labor market by taking the necessary steps to integrate them, achieve a high standard of living for all citizens, and achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The role of the Ministry of Social Development and Family is to promote, support, and care for families and their members with disabilities by providing basic needs to ensure equal opportunities among citizens and implementing and developing strategies, plans, and policies that carry within them the Qatar National Vision 2030 and aspire to achieve social development.