Getting to Zero at Work campaign

© ILO/Crozet

Decent work for all, including people living with HIV, is a cornerstone for Getting to zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. We must act now to make all workplaces free from stigma and discrimination!"

Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Office (ILO)

© UNAIDS

ILO's efforts on Getting to Zero at Work are critical for an effective response to HIV. The workplace must protect the human rights of workers and ensure a safe and supportive environment for people living with and affected by HIV."

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

© UNDP

Despite significant progress, HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain widespread. It is critical that the rights of people living with HIV are respected in the workplace."

Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

© UNESCO

The starting point is for teachers and all education personnel to work in supportive environments that offer access to vital information about HIV and AIDS and encourage social dialogue. Ultimately, it is students who will benefit when their teachers and the entire education personnel work in a nurturing and positive environment. This is why workplace policies are an essential strategy for Getting to Zero."

Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

© UN/Eskinder Debebe

The workplace is a critical entry point to facilitate access of both HIV and sexual and reproductive health services, including the wide distribution of male and female condoms and comprehensive information on how to use them effectively.”

“The world of work is an essential channel for also reaching key populations involved in informal economies with services, as well as for addressing challenges posed by stigma and discrimination that these groups often face.”

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

© UNHCR

As humanitarians, we must embody the notion of protection and respect – not only towards the persons we care for, but also towards our own staff. Only when humanitarian personnel are informed about HIV, know about universal precautions and have access to appropriate health facilities can they advocate effectively for our beneficiaries to have better access to HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment.”

António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

© UNICEF/NYHQ2012-0381/SUSAN MARKISZ

Discriminating against staff members living with or affected by HIV does more than rob them of respect; it also potentially robs them of their livelihoods - and even their lives. We cannot succeed in the battle against HIV and AIDS without zero tolerance for stigma and discrimination, in the workplace and every place.”

Anthony Lake, Executive Director, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

© UNODC

A comprehensive approach is essential to prevent HIV among the prison population. To protect the rights and health of both prisoners and prison staff it is critical to ensure a safe and healthy prison work environment.”

Yuri Fedotov, Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna

© UN WOMEN

Women's empowerment is one of the only HIV vaccines available today. Women are lagging far behind men in access to land, credit and decent jobs. We must abolish the multiple barriers preventing them from seizing economic opportunities and empower them to reduce their vulnerability to HIV. Gender equality is key to getting to zero.”

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women

© WHO

Health workers stand on the frontline of the AIDS response. If countries are to achieve universal access to HIV services, one of their first steps must be to ensure that all health workers have access to effective and affordable HIV prevention, treatment, and care.”

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)

© THE WORLD BANK

Creating equal opportunities for people to live healthy, productive lives, secure meaningful jobs, and protect themselves from illnesses and crises, including HIV and AIDS, is vital if we are to achieve a world free of AIDS and poverty.”

Tamar Manuelyan Atinc, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank

© ILO/Crozet

I hope that the ILO Recommendation concerning HIV/AIDS and the World of Work will contribute to improving health at work, will generate case law safeguarding rights and help the women and men affected.”

Gilles de Robien (France), Chairperson of the ILO Governing Body

© IOE

Getting to zero is investing in a sustainable future. Employers with their businesses – large and small alike – are really making a difference and can make this possible.”

Daniel Funes de Rioja (Argentina), Vice-President of the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Employer Vice-Chairperson of the ILO Governing Body

© ITUC

We cannot afford to wait. Every human being aspires to dignity. This includes workers living with HIV. Our dignity starts with Decent Work. We all have the right to have a voice, access income and social protection and have our rights respected.”

Luc Cortebeeck (Belgium), Worker Vice-Chairperson of the ILO Governing Body

© IOE

Employers’ organizations and their member enterprises are reaching millions of workers, families and communities with their HIV initiatives. Together, we can get to zero.”

Brent Wilton, Secretary-General, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)

© ITUC

Zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths start at work.”

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

© GNP+

Earning a wage and supporting ourselves is not only critical to our own personal health, but also to our dignity in contributing to our communities and society as a whole.”

Kevin Moody, International Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)

© WTO

We need to ensure access to treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS and eliminate discrimination in workplaces. This is essential from a moral, ethical and economic stand point.”

Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO)

© ILO/Crozet

I am one of 5 million young people living with HIV and I once lost my job due to my HIV status. An HIV test does not determine my skills or ability to perform well at work. This is why I urge governments and employers to commit to zero discrimination at work and make decent work accessible to all, including to young women and men living with HIV.”

Yahir Zavaleta Rocha (Mexico), Programme Director for Espolea, 
Member of the Youth Advisory Group of the Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+)