GENEVA (ILO News) - Workers and employers, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization's AIDS programme, are to organize a wide range of activities in Geneva and around the world to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1 December.
"The workplace must play a strategic role in the fight against HIV/AIDS", said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia, in a statement on HIV/AIDS in the world of work issued for World AIDS Day. "It is a fight not only against the ravages of a disease but also against discrimination, intolerance, misconceptions and fear."
Events range from a series of public events designed to mobilize support for workplace activities against HIV/AIDS, to the launch of a number of new products aimed at providing the best examples of ways to prevent or manage the disease and its impact. Mr. Somavia said the workplace is a vital platform for reaching communities attempting to deal with the epidemic.
"Through the workplace we can protect people's lives and livelihoods by providing information and education, care and support", Mr. Somavia said. "The workplace is also key in protecting the rights of those infected or affected. And equally importantly, through workplace action we can send a strong message of hope: that women and men with HIV/AIDS can continue to live actively and work productively for many years, especially with care, support and treatment."
The ILO has played a significant role in the global campaign against HIV/AIDS through its expertise on issues in the world of work. The ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work, adopted in 2001, has become the global standard for dealing with HIV/AIDS in the workplace. From July 2005 to July 2006, the ILO is chairing the highest decision-making body of UNAIDS, the Committee of Co-sponsoring Organizations (CCO).
In Geneva, a series of activities are planned at ILO headquarters to underline the fact that HIV/AIDS is a crosscutting issue and involves all segments of society.
"Social protection can be seen as the other side of the coin of employment", said Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director of the ILO's Social Protection Sector. "In close relation with our constituents, we need to encourage a culture of protection among workers through programmes of prevention and care in the workplace. One working man, or one working woman, with awareness and motivation to act on HIV/AIDS means a whole family protected, and through it the community."
A wide range of events are also planned in ILO field offices around the world. For an up-to-date list, please see World AIDS Day.
The media are cordially invited to a Panel Discussion that will take place in the Governing Body Room of the ILO in Geneva at 11.00 on 1 December, with an opening statement by the Director-General. The event will take a broad look at tackling AIDS in the world of work, from ensuring the health and well-being of UN staff to decent work and poverty reduction as strategies against AIDS.
The Panel will be chaired by Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director of the Social Protection Sector, and the speakers are:
- Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director, ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
- Mr. Deborah Landey, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS
- Dr. Jacqueline Hardiman, Medical Adviser, ILO Health Services Unit
- A representative of the new UN Positive Staff Group in Geneva.
For more information, please contact ILOAIDS at +4122/799-6486 or the ILO Department of Communication, communication@ilo.org, +4122/799-7062, or see the ILOAIDS website.