Descriptive Analysis of Inclusion in Quota-Based Employment for Persons with Mental Health Conditions in India

Abstract

Many approaches are undertaken to improve employment participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) including incentives for employers. India provides quota-based employment (QBE) within public sector jobs while incentivizing the private sector to act similarly. As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016, PWDs have 4% quota in public sector employment—comprising 1% for PWDs due to mental health conditions (PWDMHC). Public sector jobs must be identified as ‘suitable’ for disability types and extents- recent notification lists > 3500 jobs. Hitherto, inclusion of PWDMHC has not been studied. To examine inclusion, frameworks of reasonable accommodations and relaxations of PWDMHC in the job identification notification applicable for public sector employment compared to other disability types. In-depth descriptive analysis of the list of jobs identified in the notification dated January 4, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment listing all government jobs across groups A to D was undertaken. Employment groups A to D categorize jobs in a descending order of skills, administrative responsibility and remuneration. Total 3566 jobs listed, categorized as group A = 1046, group B = 515, group C = 1724, and group D = 281. 3296 (92%) jobs are described as ‘suitable’ for PwD with mental illness, 3240(90%) for persons with specific learning disability, 2419 (68%) for PWD with autism spectrum disorder, 963 (27%) for PWD with intellectual developmental disorder. Inclusion of PWD with mental illness and specific learning disability is greater compared to visual and hearing disabilities. No guiding framework for reasonable accommodations and no elaboration of criteria to adjudge jobs as ‘suitable’ or ‘unsuitable’ have been made available. Such a system in the long run poses challenges for inclusion in employment.