ILO addresses the closing ceremony of HIV/AIDS Training held in Belize
An MoU was signed at the event, with the drive to create and implement workplace programmes within the organizations present.
On 9 February 2023, the partnership between the Government of Belize through The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, and The National AIDS Commission (NAC), presented 13 representatives of 10 companies with certificates after completing a 3-day training seminar on proper workplace policy regarding HIV/AIDS. The knowledge and skills acquired enabled them to increase their understanding of the HIV epidemic, identify strategies for decreasing HIV prevalence within their workplace, and educated them about the HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy and Programme.
Enrique Romero, Director, National AIDS Commission said that “…this is a momentous occasion today having the Ministry of Labour initiative this event. The data is showing that HIV infection is affecting our young people. Every year we are having about 200 new HIV cases in the age range of 20-44 but particularly 20-24. The Ministry of Labour partnering with the NAC and working with organization to have an HIV/AIDS workplace policy is one way that we can tap into the workforce and the young people and have them understand, firstly, get information and knowledge of the infections of the disease, what can be done to prevent them, and what can be done to provide care and treatment support services for people infected and affected.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry, The National Aids Commission (NAC) and different Organizations - Hand in Hand Ministries, St. Johns Credit Union, Citrus Products of Belize Ltd, Belize Water Services Ltd, Belize Electricity Ltd, Caye Talkers, Customer HD, Ready Call Center, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Belize Audubon Society - was also signed with the drive to create and implement Workplace Programmes in their organizations.
Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Labour said “Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which the Ministry took the leading role to bring everyone together…They need love, they need compassion, they need support to be able to deal with this situation. And that is why as stakeholders, it is important that we have the necessary training so that we can go out there and promote the rights and equality for all Belizeans and for people across the world who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.”
ILO National Project Coordinator, Pamela Ann Bradley, congratulated the signatory companies, citing the 10 key principles of the ILO Code for the workplace which was adopted in Geneva in 2010:
Enrique Romero, Director, National AIDS Commission said that “…this is a momentous occasion today having the Ministry of Labour initiative this event. The data is showing that HIV infection is affecting our young people. Every year we are having about 200 new HIV cases in the age range of 20-44 but particularly 20-24. The Ministry of Labour partnering with the NAC and working with organization to have an HIV/AIDS workplace policy is one way that we can tap into the workforce and the young people and have them understand, firstly, get information and knowledge of the infections of the disease, what can be done to prevent them, and what can be done to provide care and treatment support services for people infected and affected.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry, The National Aids Commission (NAC) and different Organizations - Hand in Hand Ministries, St. Johns Credit Union, Citrus Products of Belize Ltd, Belize Water Services Ltd, Belize Electricity Ltd, Caye Talkers, Customer HD, Ready Call Center, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Belize Audubon Society - was also signed with the drive to create and implement Workplace Programmes in their organizations.
Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Labour said “Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which the Ministry took the leading role to bring everyone together…They need love, they need compassion, they need support to be able to deal with this situation. And that is why as stakeholders, it is important that we have the necessary training so that we can go out there and promote the rights and equality for all Belizeans and for people across the world who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.”
ILO National Project Coordinator, Pamela Ann Bradley, congratulated the signatory companies, citing the 10 key principles of the ILO Code for the workplace which was adopted in Geneva in 2010:
- recognition of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue;
- non-discrimination on the basis of real or perceived HIV status;
- gender equality must be an integral consideration in a workplace response;
- healthy work environment for all concerned parties;
- social dialogue in developing and implementing a workplace strategy;
- no screening for purposes of exclusion from employment;
- confidentiality of HIV-related personal information;
- continuation of employment relationship;
- prevention strategies in the workplace; and
- care and support for infected and affected workers.