Inclusion ranks high on Inditex’s agenda

Over 1.3 billion people constituting almost 17% of the global population live with some form of disability [as estimated by the World Health Organisation]. Yet, this happens to be the “largest minority group worldwide,” according to the World Economic Forum.

Having that said, today inclusion is a crucial focus area for businesses around the world. Recently Spanish retail group Inditex has reaffirmed its commitment to “significantly increase” the number of employees with disabilities worldwide within two years.

The Group continues to strengthen its commitment to boost the inclusion of people with differing abilities across its network including stores, logistics platforms, warehouses and offices worldwide. Aligned with this goal Inditex plans to hire over 1,500 professionals, therein doubling the number of employees with some form of disability. The Group’s target is to have at least 2% of its local headcounts to be of differing abilities in all markets it operates in.

With inclusion ranking high on Inditex’s agenda, the Group closely works with the International Labour Organization (ILO) endorsed Global Business and Disability Network, a worldwide network created to promote disability inclusion in the workplace. Through its collaboration with ILO Inditex is working to enhance inclusion and diversity in the workplace, create more career opportunities for people with differing abilities therein fostering accessible workplaces; as well as facilitate an inclusive shopping experience and raise team awareness about disability.

“In an official statement Inditex Group CEO Óscar García Maceiras said, “Diversity, fairness and inclusion are values we all embrace, values we pursue day-to-day, in order to have an impact within Inditex as well as all around us: our pledge is to design opportunities for everyone.”

“Companies increasingly recognise that their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts must address the inclusion of persons with disabilities to lead to positive and sustainable business changes. The ILO Global Business and Disability Network provides a unique space for enterprises to learn from and support each other on their respective disability inclusion journey,” added Gilbert F Houngbo, Director-General of ILO.