Bucharest Declaration

Social Consideration & Social Clauses in Public Procurement, results of SDG Helsinki Seminar is start for Bucharest Declaration On March 7 2009 the SDG together with the VATES Foundation held a seminar on social clauses in Public Procurement contracts.

This follows on from the EU legislation (Art. 19 Directive 2004/18) allowing certain contracts to be reserved for organisations which employ more than 50% of disabled people, and other changes that allow our organisations to compete more effectively in a social context for public procurement contracts.

The seminar was a great success with presentations on best practice from several members and from the EU.

In the next few days the EU will be issuing a guide on this subject and WE members are urged to read it and help in the consultation which will be completed by Mid May 2009.

The SDG will be resenting more information at the annual conference. It was also agreed that significant International and national Lobbying is required to improve the use of these clauses.

See for content and further information the Events page

Bucharest declaration

On 25-29 May 2009, Motivation Romania and the Shaw Trust together with Workability Europe hosted Workability Europe's annual conference on "Financial and Economic Challenges: 2009 and Beyond" in Bucharest.

The organizers are grateful for the support of the Romanian National Authority for People with Disabilities and would also like to acknowledge the significant role played by participants and speakers.

Participants from 30 member organisations from 17 countries as well as officials from the Romanian government, the European Union and other non-governmental organisations were present during the conference.

1. The presentations and discussions of the conference show a common concern among participants about the future operations of the sector in these times of economic turmoil. Most members of Workability Europe report that they are directly affected by the global recession. Some national member organisations report a loss of jobs of up to 30% and income, jeopardising the sustainability of the ongoing operations during these economically difficult times. This holds especially true for jobs in the industrial sector.

2. Participants of the conference express their concern that achievements of the last years, even decades, are currently under threat, especially the statement of the Reykjavik Declaration of 2003 of equal opportunities of employment for people with disabilities. Workability Europe and its members want to remind governments and the European Institutions that social systems are also social stabilisers and that in times of economic uncertainty these systems are of increased importance to society. We therefore offer our expertise and cooperation to the relevant authorities in order to provide solutions and mechanisms to address this issue with our knowledge of the various models of employment, such as sheltered employment, supported employment, social enterprises, vocational training programmes and re-integration programmes.

3. Participants agree that further action has to be taken to encourage disabled people to enter - and retrain and retain in - the labour market. The current efforts of Governments, Companies and non-profit Organisations therefore should be increased.

Namely:

• More and better training possibilities for people with disabilities,
• Advocacy to get employers to recognise the capacities of people with disabilities,
• Optimise the opportunities for employment for people with disabilities to enter/re-enter the workplace by providing sustainable employment, in our own organisations as well as in open employment

4. Workability Europe is nevertheless convinced that the current economic challenges also present opportunities to its members to build stronger and more sustainable organisations.

Some of the key strategies agreed on by the participants are:

• Reviewing operations and seeking innovative solutions,
• Stimulating cross-border partnerships to secure the development of employment opportunities for people with disabilities,
• Exchanging good practices through networking.

Ultimately, only sustainable and competitive organisations will ensure the human right to work including for people with disabilities.

5. Workability Europe is expressing the need for all relevant stakeholders (in government, the economy and civil society) to increase their work together, in order to overcome this crisis and enable people with disabilities to lead productive and independent lives.

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Press release

Crisis threatens employment for people with disabilities

Participants of the annual conference of Workability Europe, the European association of service providers and employers of people with disabilities, voiced their concern today about the impact of the financial crisis on the employment possibilities of people with disabilities At the conference which took place in Bucharest from 26-29 May, members of Workability Europe reported job losses of up to 30% as well as a considerable loss of profits. This holds especially true for the situation in the industrial sector. Potentially the consequences of the crisis could destroy progress made during the last years, even decades, for the employment of people with disabilities.

Hans Vrind, President of Workability Europe stated: "Existing jobs of people with disabilities are at risk and new jobs are more difficult to find for this vulnerable group. We want to invest in the existing relations with all the stakeholders in order to address this important issue."

In various workshops the conference worked on strategies to overcome the current difficulties. Participants concluded that the challenges ahead must be seen as a chance to build stronger organizations and more sustainable business models by reviewing operations, implementing innovative solutions, stimulating cross-border partnerships and exchanging good practices among its members.

Cristian Ispas, President of Motivation Romania said: "This year's conference was particularly important as it helped us to work together to identify the challenges ahead of us, during these times of economic downturn. We hope that as a result we are prepared and will be able to address the problems we face for the benefit of our members."

Workability Europe and its members reminded governments and the European Institutions that social systems are also social stabilisers and that in times of economic uncertainty these systems are of increased importance to society

Workability Europe therefore offers its expertise and cooperation to the relevant authorities in order to provide solutions and mechanisms to address this issue.

For further information please contact:

Henner Sorg

Communications Officer Workability Europe

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

032 (0)472 429 650

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