How and which measures can motivate employers and employees with reduced working capabilities to remain engaged in the working process through retraining and qualification are the issues of Thursday's conference "Professional Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Reduced Working Capabilities".

The conference, organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and Austria's Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, presented European and Austrian experiences in the field.

"This is a good opportunity to see other experiences, since the percentage of professional rehabilitation of persons with reduced working capabilities seeking for disability pension, is low. There are stimulation measures in place, but they are insgnificantly utilized", said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski.

One of the measures stipulates for the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund to pay a salary in a situation of injury on the job to the employee, i.e. the employer, in order to stimulate retraining for other posts within the organization.

Minister  Ristovski added the issue of disability is one of right, not evaluation.

"Disability and related rights have a special significance in pension and disability insurance, since they provide for the employee to remain engaged in line with his/her reduced capabilities", said Ristovski.

Gero Stuller, representative of Austria's Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, said the country has a vast experience in the field.

The measures we have undertaken in the field of professional rehabiliation have resulted in drastic reduction in the number of early retirements, but have also positively influenced the labor market, whereas individuals are increasingly present on the market, are happier and more fulfilled", he emphasized.