The exclusion and prohibition of discrimination in the Republic of Armenia

Abstract

Currently, unemployment rates are significantly high among people with locomotor disabilities in the Republic of Armenia. On the pathway of getting employed in the Armenian labor market there are a range of legal, social and economic barriers impeding the employment of this group of persons. In particular, there is a poor enforcement of legal framework and lack of specific mechanisms among employers to hire people with physical disabilities, false societal perceptions with regard to the employment of this vulnerable group and a number of other factors ultimately challenging their involvement in the Armenian labor market despite evidence for the effectiveness of State work schemes. Through comparing various models of employment and drawing parallels between Armenian legal framework and commitments Armenia is legally bound by under international treaties the paper advances to making recommendations for a national strategy aimed at fostering customized employment among people with locomotor disabilities.