Published April 10, 2025

Employment Survey on Persons with Disabilities in Seven ASEAN CountriesKey insights on job-seeking and workplace challenges

The Nippon Foundation, in collaboration with Koei Research & Consulting Inc., has conducted a survey on employment conditions for university graduates with disabilities in seven ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos. The study identifies workplace challenges and employment trends, and these findings will be used to strengthen The Nippon Foundation’s initiatives supporting the employment of persons with disabilities

Survey Overview

From October 2024 to February 2025, interviews were conducted with approximately 20 individuals per country, including members of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), NGOs, UN agencies, government officials, and persons with disabilities working in various fields. The study combined desk research with in-person and online interviews.

Key Findings

Across all seven countries, persons with disabilities have fewer employment and promotion opportunities than their peers without disabilities. Barriers include workplace inaccessibility, employer bias, and limited access to job information. Some applicants face rejection upon disclosure of their disability, while others are assigned limited responsibilities after employment. Addressing these challenges requires systemic workplace improvements and greater societal awareness.

Recommendations

The report highlights four key barriers:

Physical: Inaccessible workplaces and limited transportation.
Informational: Difficulties in online applications, lack of sign language and captioning services.
Institutional: Gaps in legal frameworks and insufficient reasonable accommodation.
Attitudinal: Workplace bias, limited promotions, and superficial hiring policies.

Disability Equality Training (DET) can help raise awareness among employers and government officials. Institutionalizing employment support systems in collaboration with national governments is essential for sustainable solutions.

Report Publication

A summary of the study has been prepared, ensuring the protection of personal information. The summary report, including detailed findings and recommendations for each country, can be downloaded below. A dissemination event to share the survey results is scheduled for April 25, 2025.