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 global theme of World AIDS Day 2005 is Stop AIDS - keep the promise. This refers to a 'promise' of the international community to control the epidemic and help those affected. Events (see World AIDS Day an up-to-date list) 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.

AIDS is a workplace issue not only because it affects labour and productivity, but also because the workplace has a vital role to play in the wider struggle to limit the spread and effects of the epidemic. Over 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Nine out of every ten are adults in their productive and reproductive prime.

HIV/AIDS threatens the livelihoods of many workers and those who depend on them - families, communities and enterprises. In doing so, it also weakens national economies. Discrimination and stigmatization against women and men with HIV threaten fundamental principles and rights at work, and undermine efforts for prevention and care. There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS, but prevention does work.

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. It contains key principles for policy development and practical guidelines for programmes at enterprise, community and national levels.

The ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety comprises several articles that addresses this issue of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. They cover both protection against discrimination and prevention against infection. To consult these articles, click on SafeWork Bookshelf search results for HIV/AIDS.

The CISDOC bibliographic database contains references to numerous books, training manuels, articles, etc. on various OHS-related subjects including HIV/AIDS. CIS has extracted some of the most recent additions to CISDOC with regard to HIV/AIDS, that includes complete bibliographic details, abstracts and internet links of a douzen of references.

In addition, many ILO/AIDS documents, guidelines, leaflets, posters etc. can be freely downloaded in .pdf form at the following URL: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/trav/aids/publ/index.htm.