Labour market characteristics of persons with disability in Latvia

Abstract

The goal of the Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 is to ensure that persons with disabilities in Europe have equal opportunities, including equal access to participate in society and the economy. In 2020, 201 598 persons with disabilities lived in Latvia (10.6% of the total population), moreover, their number is growing every year. Only 26.6% people with disabilities are employed, and their employment is slightly growing every year. Besides, unemployment increases the risk of falling below the poverty line, as well as increases dependence on municipal and national social benefits. The aim of the present research is to analyse the situation of persons with disabilities in the labour market and identify the factors influencing their employment in Latvia. The monographic, analysis and synthesis methods, as well as statistical analysis methods were used to achieve the aim. The research has concluded that the employment of people with disabilities is affected by the support instruments embedded in the legislation and specific support instruments for work integration social enterprises. Overall, however, the support instruments for the integration of people with disabilities into the labour market are few or insufficiently encourage entrepreneurs. To increase the employment of persons with disabilities, it is important to promote the development of social entrepreneurship, in particular the development of work integration social enterprises. Keywords: persons with disability, work integration social enterprise, employment, labour market.