UN Expert Urges Stronger Job Protections for People with Albinism

According to the expert, people with albinism encounter a combination of physical, social, and economic challenges that undermine their ability to participate fully in the labour market.

A United Nations human rights expert has called on governments worldwide to strengthen laws and policies to ensure people with albinism can fully access employment opportunities and workplace protections.

Presenting her latest report to the UN Human Rights Council, Independent Expert Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond stressed that the right to employment is essential for people with albinism, who often face discrimination, stigma, and structural barriers that limit their ability to work.

"The right to employment is a critical lifeline for persons with albinism," Miti-Drummond said, noting that visual impairment, melanin deficiency, and widespread social stigma frequently prevent individuals from securing jobs or building sustainable livelihoods.

Barriers to Employment Remain Widespread

According to the expert, people with albinism encounter a combination of physical, social, and economic challenges that undermine their ability to participate fully in the labour market.

These include:

• Visual impairments that can affect workplace productivity without proper accommodations

• Discrimination and stigma from employers and colleagues

• Higher personal costs, including healthcare and sun-protection needs due to extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation

Such barriers, she said, often translate into limited access to stable employment or entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for those seeking to start small and medium-sized businesses.

Need for Stronger Implementation of Employment Rights

While some countries have introduced legal protections and policy frameworks supporting disability inclusion, Miti-Drummond said implementation remains weak in many parts of the world.

"This employment rights architecture imposes an obligation on States to take measures such as promoting employment and self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and ensuring the provision of reasonable accommodation in the workplace," she said.

However, she emphasized that laws alone are not enough, calling for practical interventions that translate policies into tangible improvements in employment outcomes.

Lack of Data Hides Global Inequality

One of the major challenges identified in the report is the lack of reliable data on employment disparities affecting people with albinism.

Because many countries do not collect disaggregated statistics on disability and albinism, policymakers lack accurate information on unemployment rates, wage gaps, and workplace discrimination affecting this group.

This data gap makes it difficult to design targeted policies or measure progress in improving labour market inclusion.

Discrimination and Attitudinal Barriers Persist

Through consultations and country visits, the UN expert reported hearing numerous accounts from people with albinism describing negative attitudes and discrimination during hiring processes and within workplaces.

Such barriers, she said, are often rooted in misconceptions about albinism, which continue to affect opportunities for education, employment, and social participation.

Employment Linked to Fundamental Human Rights

Miti-Drummond stressed that employment is not only an economic issue but also a broader human rights concern.

Barriers to work, she warned, can have cascading impacts on other rights, including healthcare access, housing, and overall living standards.

"It is essential to consider that barriers to accessing employment impact much more than the enjoyment of the right to employment," she said.

"For persons with albinism especially, this severely impacts the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to health, and indeed the right to life."

Call for Inclusive Labour Policies

The UN expert urged governments to take robust measures to align employment laws, disability policies, and workplace practices, ensuring people with albinism can participate fully in the workforce.

Key recommendations include expanding reasonable workplace accommodations, strengthening anti-discrimination protections, and supporting entrepreneurship initiatives for people with albinism.

Human rights advocates say improving employment inclusion is critical to addressing the social and economic marginalization experienced by people with albinism in many parts of the world.