Promotion of the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market

Abstract

This paper is aimed at a critical analysis of the main tools existing in Spain to foster the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market considering the new Consolidated Text of the General Act on the Rights of People with Disabilities and its social inclusion (Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013) and the Global Strategy on Employment of People with Disabilities 2008-2012. The main incentives are reductions in Social Security contributions and financial bonuses. The paper’s methodology is based in the study of both the law and the case law. Firstly, with regard to the reductions in Social Security contributions, the paper evaluates its reach, the different types of employment contracts concerned and the circumstances which could hamper employers’ access to bonuses. Secondly, the article evaluates some key issues regarding employment grants like their amount, the specific concept of disabled person to be hired or the possibility to pile up national and autonomous (regional) grants. Finally, the article evaluates the existing limited grant to carry out workplace adjustments.