BNP Paribas and Handicap International sign partnership

Today, my colleague, Director of Corporate Engagement Antoine Sire, and I have signed a partnership with Handicap International, represented by its Global Managing Director, Manuel Patrouillard.

It’s a great initiative!

This two-year partnership is in line with our intention to deploy and strengthen the disability and inclusion policy in each of the 72 countries where the Group is present. It follows on the signing last September of a global agreement with UNI Global Union, the international union federation for the services sector, on 7 topics related to fundamental rights in the workplace and the establishment of a Global Social Framework. 

Our commitment to equal opportunities and integration is set to increase considerably and to take shape with the implementation of new long-term actions both in terms of recruiting and retaining people with disabilities.

More specifically, we have undertaken in each of our countriesto implement at least one of the 10 commitments in the Charter of the International Labour Organisation’s Global Business and Disability Network that was signed in June 2016. The 10 commitments in the Charter cover a variety of fields such as employability, equal treatment and accessibility.

To achieve this, the Bank will be able to count on Handicap International’s networks to help our international entities fulfil the obligations of the Global Agreement to the best of their abilities and to implement actions to further the professional integration of people with disabilities. 

In Europe, our 3 domestic market entities, BNP Paribas Fortis Belgium, BGL in Luxembourg ad BNL in Italy, have for many years already had a proactive approach to the professional integration of people with disabilities.

In France, BNP Paribas has signed various corporate agreements since 2008 to affirm our commitment to the professional integration of disabled people. 

Our commitment to equal opportunities and integration is set to increase considerably and to take shape with the implementation of new long-term actions both in terms of recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. We must also continue to train and raise awareness among all our staff members as a vital step towards breaking down stereotypes.

My thanks go to all the BNP Paribas and Handicap International teams who are mobilised for this challenge. Acting for the disabled concerns all of us!