EMPLOYMENT ECOSYSTEM APPROACH FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN LATVIA

Abstract

Given the demographic situation in Latvia, the decline in the working-age population and the increase in the number of persons with disabilities (PwD), it is necessary to address the employment issues for disabled people. Therefore, it is relevant to integrate the factors affecting the employment of people with disabilities into a coherent system to address the employment problem. Only 47.2% of the working-age population with disabilities were employed in Latvia in 2021, while the employment rate in the general age group between 15 and 64 was 69.9% as stated in Ministry of Welfare reports. The aim of this study is to develop employment ecosystem for persons with disabilities in Latvia in order to reduce the gap between the employment rate of PwD and those without disabilities. This is done by undertaking the following research tasks: 1) to analyse the employment situation with regards to PwD in Latvia; 2) to study methodologies of ecosystem approach; 3) to analyse the factors influencing employment ecosystem for PwD, and 4) to identify the most critical aspects of the ecosystem. Employment of people with disabilities is affected by various socio-economic and legal, subjective and objective factors. Various stakeholders with their own interests are involved in promoting employment. The analysis, grouping and interpretation of statistical data of public administration institutions was employed. The study is based on previous researches done by the authors: legal system affected employment of persons with disabilities studied, survey of persons with disabilities analysed, exploration of the interests of those involved in employment issues. As the result, methodological approach for employment ecosystem of PwD in Latvia was developed.