Comparing Employment Quota Systems for Disabled People Between Korea and Japan

Abstract

Mandatory employment quota system is a policy that obligates employers to have a workforce with a certain percentage of individuals with disabilities. This study compared the Korean mandatory quota scheme with the Japanese one. They have very similar features even though some differences still exist in details; similar levels of mandatory quotas, similar covered employers, similar sanctions and incentives, and even similar outcomes. The results of this study show that the mandatory quota schemes have a limited effect in enhancing employment rates of disabled people in Korea or in Japan. Unlike Japan, Korea has enforced the Anti-Discrimination Act against Disabled Persons since 2008 though its effect on employment rates of disabled people has not been materialized yet. Anti-discrimination acts against disabled persons are generally considered to be ineffective for increasing employment rates of disabled people. Employment services for disabled persons may be more helpful to increase employment rates of disabled people. A type of delivery system for employment services for disabled persons may be an important factor for employment rates of disabled people. Delivery system for employment services for disabled persons should be closely connected with the labor market as well as the mandatory quota system. The delivery systems for employment services for disabled persons are mostly managed by non-profit organizations in Korea. However, their outcomes are less than expected due to the lack of economic incentives and autonomy. Thus, governments should expand their roles in employment services for disabled persons in order to increase employment rates of disabled people. mandatory quotas, employment for disabled persons, covered employers, sanctions, employment rates sunwlee@inje.ac.kr(Sunwoo LEE) Asian J Human Services, 2016, 10:83-92. © 2016 Asian Society of Human Services Received