Workers' organizations are an important partner in implementation of project activities. A package for training and advocacy with unions has been developed and used extensively.

In all, ILO trained 1500 trainers among trade unions at central and state levels.

Having built the capacity of the trade union partners, the ILO programme supported unions for taking up HIV/AIDS projects among informal economy workers:

• Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) implemented an HIV/AIDS preventive education project with 3000 migrant workers from 20 villages in Jharkhand.
• The Council of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) implemented a project with 4000 mine workers in Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• The Indian National Trade Unions Congress (INTUC) implemented a project with 1000 railway porters/cleaners/vendors/family members at/around railway stations in Hyderabad.
• Nirman Mazdoor Sanghatna implemented a project in Panvel Taluka of Maharashtra among 1000 migrant construction workers.

Partnership with State AIDS Control Societies was a key feature in all interventions of unions. Delhi State AIDS Society supported two interventions of unions among informal economy workers. This way, the ILO Programme facilitated partnership of unions with the national programme.

A handbook -'Trade unions and HIV/AIDS' developed after a series of consultations with trade unions

The handbook aims at providing basic information about HIV/AIDS to trade unions, highlighting the importance of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue and the role of trade unions in HIV/AIDS programmes. The handbook is available in English and Hindi.

• A handbook -'Trade Unions and HIV/AIDS' developed after a series of consultations with trade unions (In English)
• A handbook -'Trade Unions and HIV/AIDS' developed after a series of consultations with trade unions (In Hindi)

Joining hands - A film on trade unions and HIV/AIDS

Ek Pehal - A film on trade unions and HIV/AIDS in Hindi

This film captures key perceptions of the central trade unions in on HIV/AIDS. It highlights the role that trade unions can play in combating HIV/AIDS and strengthening the world of work of response to HIV/AIDS. The film can be used as an advocacy as well as a training tool.

A training manual on HIV/AIDS developed for trade unions

The manual aims at creating a cadre of HIV/AIDS trainers with the trade unions, through a five day residential Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop.

The joint statement of commitment on HIV/AIDS of the central trade unions in India

Central trade unions are engaged in HIV/AIDS Workplace Programmes in collaboration with the ILO. In order to provide policy guidelines on HIV/AIDS in India the Central Trade Unions have developed a Joint Statement of Commitment on HIV/AIDS. The Statement is endorsed by key central trade unions: AITUC, BMS, CITU, HMS, INTUC.

This Statement also has annexures on Basic Questions and Answers on HIV/AIDS, Case Studies on Trade Union Action on HIV/AIDS and Frequently Asked Questions/Answers on HIV/AIDS.

For copies of the above publications and film please email to write to Ms Divya Verma or Ms Seena Chatterjee.