The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $3 million grant to Humanity & Inclusion. The funding aims to enhance the capabilities of organizations for persons with disabilities in Cambodia, focusing on labor exploitation and access barriers to decent work.
Administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, this initiative supports Humanity & Inclusion, a humanitarian organization that collaborates with disabled individuals facing poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. The project intends to improve labor rights for people with disabilities and ensure access to work that protects their rights, provides adequate income, and secures social protection.
The announcement aligns with the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year's theme emphasizes "amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." The day highlights the rights and well-being of over one billion people living with disabilities worldwide, 80 percent of whom reside in developing countries.
The funding will aid research into the link between disability and vulnerability to labor exploitation while enhancing coordination among stakeholders. It also seeks sustainable solutions targeting economic empowerment barriers for disabled individuals, addressing issues like child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking.
Additionally, the grant focuses on supporting those facing greater exclusion due to various types of disabilities—particularly children, women, and individuals with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities.
