Inclusive initiatives in the context of ESG: A look at the social component

When dealing with global challenges, it's important to consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). Sustainable development is when a country's or company's growth doesn't harm the environment and meets the needs of the present without hurting future generations. It's also about creating value in the long term. To measure sustainability, countries, companies, regions, and local communities look at three areas of development: the environmental impact, actions to address social challenges, and effective management of the organization itself.

DEI, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI, diversity, equity and inclusion) are the most important part of ESG (social component). There can be no successful ESG without sufficient attention to DEI.

The Environment section of the ESG includes a review of how companies are making sure that their efforts to be environmentally sustainable are also inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. This work may include designing facilities and products that are accessible to people with disabilities. It may also include reducing environmental hazards that disproportionately affect them. Finally, it may include involving people with disabilities in environmental initiatives.

The social part of ESG is about a company's commitment to equality in the workplace and in the communities where they do business. Companies can make sure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities for getting a job, advancing in their careers, and becoming leaders. This includes making sure that the workplace, products, and services are accessible to people with disabilities; having policies that do not discriminate against anyone; supporting diverse suppliers; and having a workplace culture that includes everyone.

The Governance component addresses policies and practices that ensure accountability and transparency. This includes having a governance structure that encourages diversity at all levels of management and decision-making. This includes having people with disabilities on the board of directors. Companies can also report on their compliance with disability-related regulations and standards, as well as the implementation of internal policies that support the rights of people with disabilities.

To create an inclusive society, we need to make sure that the social and business environments are open to everyone. ESG business practices that support social and environmental responsibility can help grow our society. These practices create more opportunities for people to move up in their jobs or companies. They also make sure that everyone has access to good public services and the environment. Inclusive ESG initiatives can include inclusive education and employment, which is supported by the government to benefit society and businesses.

Inclusive initiatives: practices and viewpoints

Inclusive education

Inclusive education is a system of educational services. It is based on the idea that all children have the right to education. This right applies to children in their place of residence. Inclusive education provides for the education of children with special educational needs. It does so in the conditions of a general education institution. To understand what inclusive education is, it's important to look at three things that show what it's like.:

(a) Inclusion is a process that should be seen as an ongoing search for effective ways to meet children's individual needs;

b) inclusion is about identifying barriers and overcoming them;

c) inclusion involves a certain emphasis on those groups of students who are at risk of being excluded or having learning disabilities.

The most important thing for all students with special learning needs is to fully meet their learning needs.

The Presidential Resolution “On measures to further improve the system of education and upbringing of children with special educational needs” approved the “Concept for the development of inclusive education for 2020-2025” (PP-4860 of 14.10.2020), which enshrines the right of every child to education. (PR-4860 of 14.10.2020), which enshrines the right of every child to education.

The Concept has been developed to organize the system of inclusive education and guarantee the right to education for children with special educational needs. The Concept explains the goals, objectives, and main ideas for developing inclusive education in the country. It also explains the steps for developing programs and other measures to support inclusive education.

According to Article 19 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, all citizens are equal under the law. However, a law that was passed to regulate relations in the field of education (No. LRU-637 of 23.09.2020) did not initially take into account the needs of children with mental and sensory disabilities. To include more children with special needs, public organizations suggested a plan to make it happen.

The "Strategy for the Development of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026" identifies priority tasks to improve inclusive education and employment, ensure the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in society (Goal 66); ensure open and quality education for young people (Goal 70), including comprehensive education at all levels and creating conditions for inclusive education development in regions.

The Statistics Agency says that 142,300 children with disabilities need to be integrated into regular schools. One of the main goals is to reduce the number of children in institutions. This means that children who used to live in boarding schools should be able to attend regular schools. These schools will provide the children with the psychological and pedagogical support they need.

It is very important to make it easy for children who need special attention to be part of regular schools. All children, no matter what their gender or special needs are, should have the chance to get a good education and be part of social activities. Moving children from boarding schools and specialized schools to regular schools will allow them to socialize, which will make their lives much easier in the future. Teachers play a key role in integrating children with disabilities into regular schools. They must ensure that other children do not harass them based on their disabilities. If children with disabilities can get a good education and be part of society, it will really improve their chances in life.

It is very important to provide quality education for children with disabilities. This helps protect their well-being as they grow. It helps them fit into society, makes them more respected, teaches them to be responsible citizens, and helps them take part in society and work.

Inclusive employment and vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities

Uzbekistan signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on February 27, 2009. They officially agreed to the rules of the convention on June 7, 2021. This was done by passing a law called the Act on Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (No. LRU-695).

Currently, 184 countries have signed this international agreement. The Convention has 50 articles. These articles are very important. They talk about the basic rights and freedoms of people with disabilities. This includes the right to life, citizenship, legal protection, education, healthcare, employment, leisure and sports on an equal basis with others, the right to decent housing and social assistance, and defines the legal guarantees for their realization. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is in charge of making sure that countries are following the rules of the Convention and are fulfilling their obligations.

Uzbekistan has adopted a number of laws and regulations to support people with disabilities:

• The Presidential Decree created the Commission to come up with ideas to make big improvements to the system that supports people with disabilities (Presidential Decree No. PD-5006, dated 01.08.2017).
• The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan made a decree on December 1, 2017 (Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dated 01.12.2017, No PD-5270) about how the government will support people with disabilities.)
• The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, October 15, 2020, No. LRU-641) is a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities in Uzbekistan.)

The following legal and regulatory documents also regulate the labor rights of persons with disabilities and the benefits they are entitled to:

-         Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Effective date: April 30, 2023)

-         Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "On Employment of the Population" (Effective date: January 21, 2021, No. LRU-642 of October 20, 2020)

Uzbekistan's legal and regulatory documents include the following plans to help include people with disabilities in the workforce and improve their social protection.

The rights of disabled employees regarding their work

According to the Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, people with disabilities have the same rights as other workers. They also have the right to special benefits related to their work, including working hours, vacations, and other conditions.

The working conditions of people with disabilities, including pay, work hours, and rest periods, and the duration of annual leave, must be no lower than those set by law and cannot make their situation worse or limit their rights compared to other employees.

It is illegal to refuse to hire a person with a disability or to fire them because of their disability. The only exception is if a medical and social expert says that their health problems prevent them from doing their job or put their life, health, or the health of other people at risk.

People with disabilities are only hired after a medical examination, and they have to get a medical examination every year. The employer pays for these medical exams.

Promises to hire people with disabilities

According to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Employment of the Population," people with disabilities are guaranteed jobs in special workplaces. The number of these workplaces is set by the government. People with disabilities can get these jobs through local labor authorities.

Employees with disabilities from groups I and II will have reduced work hours.

Employees with disabilities of groups I and II work no more than 36 hours per week.

The amount of time they work each day (including working in shifts) is decided based on what the medical and social expert commission recommends, but it should not be more than 6 hours in a six-day workweek or 7 hours and 30 minutes in a five-day workweek.

Workers with disabilities of groups I and II who work fewer hours are paid the same as other employees in the same roles who work full-time.

Employees with disabilities from groups I and II are entitled to paid leave

Employees with disabilities from groups I and II get at least 30 days of paid vacation each year. They can use this vacation time whenever they want during the year.

The law says that people with disabilities should have the same opportunities at work as everyone else, and that employers should be encouraged to hire people with disabilities

The Law "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" ensures equal opportunities for employment (No. LRU-641 of 15.10.2020). According to official data, there are more than 755 thousand persons with disabilities of working age in Uzbekistan. Their share among the able-bodied population is 3.7%. In 2022, only 7,144 people with disabilities were employed in the economy, and the employment rate among them was 3.7% of the total working-age population.

The Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies says that people with disabilities in Uzbekistan work mostly in industry (33.6%), education (15.4%), and health care (11.7%). These jobs don't pay as much as other jobs in the economy.

According to a World Bank study, the low employment rate of persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan is primarily due to limited access to an open labor market and vocational training programs for persons with disabilities, as well as weak social and economic protection in the workplace (Technical Notes on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, World Bank).

It may also be related to employers' prejudices and stereotypes. Some employers believe that people with disabilities cannot do the job as well as other people.

One way to fight these stereotypes is to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities. In Uzbekistan, the government has decided that companies that hire disabled people (except for government organizations, state-owned businesses, and companies owned by the government that have 50% or more of their money from the government) will get money from the government for each month that they hire a disabled person. The amount of money that they get is 1.5 times the basic amount that they would get for each employee for six months. (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to stimulate the promotion of employment of persons with disabilities” from 20.04.2022 № 203)

Although there are some jobs that people with disabilities can't do, there are other jobs that are a great fit. Here are some examples:

• Information and digital technology: Jobs in this field often don't require much physical activity, such as roles such as programmer, graphic designer, marketer, or translator.
• Administrative and office work, such as accountants or HR specialists.
• Work in science and education, such as teachers, lecturers, or tutors.

Outlooks for including people with disabilities in societ

To successfully include people with disabilities in the economy, it is recommended that:

• Actions be taken to support social entrepreneurship and business initiatives that actively involve people with disabilities.
• Create programs to help people with disabilities get started in business.
• Create online platforms for education and job searches.
• Work together internationally to share ideas and experiences about inclusive development.

Inclusive initiatives are an important part of developing society in a sustainable way. They ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities. The "Concept for the Development of Inclusive Education" and laws on the rights of persons with disabilities create a solid legal foundation for improving the living conditions of vulnerable groups. But there are still challenges, like the fact that not many people with disabilities have jobs, and there's not enough access to buildings and transportation.

It is very important for the government, businesses, and public organizations to work together. Businesses can help by hiring more people with disabilities and supporting new businesses that help people with disabilities. It is also important to develop educational programs that will help children with special needs to integrate into society.

In the future, digital technologies will play a key role in making things easier for people with disabilities. These technologies will help them access education, employment, and services. Online courses, virtual counseling, and digital services can help people with disabilities. It is also important to teach people about these values. If we tell the public about successful examples of this and share our experiences, it will help build an inclusive culture in society.

So, it's important to keep working on these kinds of programs to help make a better society where everyone can do their best, help the economy grow, and feel like they're a full member of society.