Jordan adopts policy to tackle HIV and AIDS at work, a first in the Arab region
National policy aims to end stigma and discrimination against workers living with HIV and to protect their rights at work.
AMMAN (ILO News) – Jordan has become the first Arab country to adopt a national policy targeting HIV/AIDS in the workplace since an international labour standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work was adopted at the 99th Session of the International Labour Conference in 2010.
Unveiled on Monday (April 8) at an event under the patronage of the Ministry of Labour – in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Jordan Chamber of Industry – the National Tripartite Policy on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work marks an important step towards safeguarding the rights of workers living with HIV and preventing the spread of the pandemic.
“The national policy on HIV/AIDS in the world of work is part of efforts to promote decent working conditions and to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the workplace. We look forward to concerted efforts towards its implementation,” said Professor Nidal Katamine, Minister of Labour and Minister of Transport.
As part of Jordan’s National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2012-2016, the new policy spells out workplace issues, protects against employment discrimination, prevents the occupational risk of HIV transmission and ensures the participation of people living with HIV in the policymaking process.
The ILO has worked with the Government and social partners in Jordan since 2010 to promote a policy and legislative framework that effectively tackles HIV and AIDS through the workplace.
“This is an important milestone for Jordan, and the Arab region,” said ILO Regional Director for the Arab States, Ms Nada al-Nashif. “It affirms Jordan’s commitment to promoting decent work for all workers – including those living with HIV – and uses the workplace as a strategic entry point to mitigate the social and economic impacts of HIV.”
The Policy supports a legal review process that would bring Jordan’s laws in line with international labour standards, in particular Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200).
Although Jordan’s laws do not explicitly discriminate against people living with HIV (PLIV), they do not provide adequate levels of protection. Mandatory HIV testing, risk of unfair dismissal and insufficient access to social protection or coverage for occupational injuries are some of the problems faced by workers living with HIV.
“It is no longer acceptable to turn away people living with HIV at home, in society and in the workplace. We are faced with the historic responsibility of raising awareness about the fact that people living with HIV can lead productive lives,” said Mazen Maaytah, President of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions.
According to UNAIDS, the Arab region is one of the few globally where HIV has rapidly increased in recent years. This has been exacerbated by poverty, unemployment, sexual and gender-based violence, war and conflict and large population movements.
“The national policy articulates the basic rights that workers should enjoy to be protected from the risk of contracting HIV at work and from stigma and discrimination,” said Samer al-Mahmoud, President of Visions Positive, a Jordanian association for people living with HIV.
A Technical Committee on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, housed in the Ministry of Labour Department of Inspection, will work with the National AIDS Programme at the Ministry of Health to monitor the implementation of the National Policy. Chaired by the Ministry of Labour, the Committee includes government, worker, employer and civil society representatives, as well as UN and international organizations.
Jordan’s tripartite delegations to the International Labour Conference in 2010 supported the adoption of Recommendation No. 200. In June 2011, they endorsed a commitment to its implementation at the regional consultation meeting on Integrating World of Work responses into National AIDS response in the Mashreq countries.
2. Mrs. Shereen Ataieb, HIV/AIDS focal point, Ministry of Labour
3. Dr. Asaad Rahhal, National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health
4. Dr. Abdullah Hanatleh, Head of Monitoring Department, Communicable Disease Directorate, Ministry of Health
5. Mr. Mohammed Abu Qaoud, HIV/AIDS focal point, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
6. Mr. Isahaq Arabyat, General Director Assistant and HIV/AIDS focal point, Jordan Chamber of Industry
7. Mr. Anan Zaytoon, Senior Economic Researcher, Jordan Chamber of Industry
8. Ms. Lana Bani Hani , Jordan Chamber of Commerce
9. Mr. Khaled Habahbeh, International relations officer and HIV/AIDS focal point, General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions
10. Dr. Sawsan Majali, Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Planning, Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development
11. Mrs. May Sultan, Policy & information specialist, National Council for Family Affairs
12. Mrs. Latifa Omar, Jordanian Women’s Union
13. Mr. Samer Almahmoud, President of Vision Positive Association for PLHIV/AIDS
14. Dr. Michela Martini, ILO Technical specialist on HIV/AIDS for Arab States
15. Ms. Lana Khoury, Country Programme, UNAIDS-Amman
Unveiled on Monday (April 8) at an event under the patronage of the Ministry of Labour – in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Jordan Chamber of Industry – the National Tripartite Policy on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work marks an important step towards safeguarding the rights of workers living with HIV and preventing the spread of the pandemic.
“The national policy on HIV/AIDS in the world of work is part of efforts to promote decent working conditions and to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the workplace. We look forward to concerted efforts towards its implementation,” said Professor Nidal Katamine, Minister of Labour and Minister of Transport.
As part of Jordan’s National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2012-2016, the new policy spells out workplace issues, protects against employment discrimination, prevents the occupational risk of HIV transmission and ensures the participation of people living with HIV in the policymaking process.
The ILO has worked with the Government and social partners in Jordan since 2010 to promote a policy and legislative framework that effectively tackles HIV and AIDS through the workplace.
“This is an important milestone for Jordan, and the Arab region,” said ILO Regional Director for the Arab States, Ms Nada al-Nashif. “It affirms Jordan’s commitment to promoting decent work for all workers – including those living with HIV – and uses the workplace as a strategic entry point to mitigate the social and economic impacts of HIV.”
The Policy supports a legal review process that would bring Jordan’s laws in line with international labour standards, in particular Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200).
Although Jordan’s laws do not explicitly discriminate against people living with HIV (PLIV), they do not provide adequate levels of protection. Mandatory HIV testing, risk of unfair dismissal and insufficient access to social protection or coverage for occupational injuries are some of the problems faced by workers living with HIV.
“It is no longer acceptable to turn away people living with HIV at home, in society and in the workplace. We are faced with the historic responsibility of raising awareness about the fact that people living with HIV can lead productive lives,” said Mazen Maaytah, President of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions.
According to UNAIDS, the Arab region is one of the few globally where HIV has rapidly increased in recent years. This has been exacerbated by poverty, unemployment, sexual and gender-based violence, war and conflict and large population movements.
“The national policy articulates the basic rights that workers should enjoy to be protected from the risk of contracting HIV at work and from stigma and discrimination,” said Samer al-Mahmoud, President of Visions Positive, a Jordanian association for people living with HIV.
A Technical Committee on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, housed in the Ministry of Labour Department of Inspection, will work with the National AIDS Programme at the Ministry of Health to monitor the implementation of the National Policy. Chaired by the Ministry of Labour, the Committee includes government, worker, employer and civil society representatives, as well as UN and international organizations.
Jordan’s tripartite delegations to the International Labour Conference in 2010 supported the adoption of Recommendation No. 200. In June 2011, they endorsed a commitment to its implementation at the regional consultation meeting on Integrating World of Work responses into National AIDS response in the Mashreq countries.
Members of the Technical Committee on HIV and AIDs and the World of Work:
1. Engineer Adnan Rababa, Director of Labour Inspection department and Chairmen of the technical committee, Ministry of Labour2. Mrs. Shereen Ataieb, HIV/AIDS focal point, Ministry of Labour
3. Dr. Asaad Rahhal, National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health
4. Dr. Abdullah Hanatleh, Head of Monitoring Department, Communicable Disease Directorate, Ministry of Health
5. Mr. Mohammed Abu Qaoud, HIV/AIDS focal point, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
6. Mr. Isahaq Arabyat, General Director Assistant and HIV/AIDS focal point, Jordan Chamber of Industry
7. Mr. Anan Zaytoon, Senior Economic Researcher, Jordan Chamber of Industry
8. Ms. Lana Bani Hani , Jordan Chamber of Commerce
9. Mr. Khaled Habahbeh, International relations officer and HIV/AIDS focal point, General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions
10. Dr. Sawsan Majali, Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Planning, Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development
11. Mrs. May Sultan, Policy & information specialist, National Council for Family Affairs
12. Mrs. Latifa Omar, Jordanian Women’s Union
13. Mr. Samer Almahmoud, President of Vision Positive Association for PLHIV/AIDS
14. Dr. Michela Martini, ILO Technical specialist on HIV/AIDS for Arab States
15. Ms. Lana Khoury, Country Programme, UNAIDS-Amman