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Why AIDS is a workplace issue

AIDS is a workplace issue because it affects workers and the families, enterprises and communities which depend on them. At the same time, the workplace has a vital role to play in the wider struggle to control the epidemic. Workplace programmes support prevention, expand access to care and treatment, and promote non-discrimination. > More

News from ILO/AIDS

New international labour standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work

>> Final reports published - (pdf, 12KB)

ILO Director-General Statement for World AIDS Day 2009

>> Message by Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Office on the occasion of World AIDS Day - 1 December 2009 - (pdf, 48KB)

>> Message de Juan Somavia, Directeur général du Bureau international du Travail à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida - 1er décembre 2009 - (pdf, 27KB)

>> Mensaje de Juan Somavia, Director General de la Oficina Internacional del Trabajo con motivo del Día Mundial del SIDA - 1 de diciembre de 2009 - (pdf, 47KB)

World AIDS Day 2009

The ILO is building on the theme of World AIDS Day 2009 and the "I am" campaign on human rights and universal access to prevention, care, support and treatment with the slogan "I am living my rights. I am working."

>> I am living my rights. Stop AIDS. Keep the promise. - (poster in pdf, 372KB) (version a) • >> I am living my rights. Stop AIDS. Keep the promise. - (poster in pdf, 370KB) (version b)

>> Je suis en pleine possession de mes droits. Arrêter le SIDA. Tenir la promesse. - (poster in pdf, 389KB) (version a) • >> Je suis en pleine possession de mes droits. Arrêter le SIDA. Tenir la promesse. - (poster in pdf, 389KB) (version b)

>> Estoy viviendo mis derechos. Detén el SIDA. Mantén la promesa. - (poster in pdf, 378KB)

>> Russian version of the poster - (poster in pdf, 443KB)

For the ILO, times of crisis should not lead to compromises. The right to work and retain employment for people living with HIV need to be fully recognized.

The theme of human rights and universal access is timely as the ILO is supporting its tripartite constituents (government, employers’ and workers' organizations) in the development of an international labour standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. The potential adoption of this human rights instrument is foreseen by the International Labour Conference in June 2010.

World AIDS Day in Sweden

Keeping workers at work and enterprises productive: Business combating HIV/AIDS
The International Council of Swedish Industry and the Swedish Industrial and Metalworkers’ Union in collaboration with the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS) are hosting an event on 1st December in Stockholm, Sweden entitled “Business combating HIV/AIDS”. The event will bring together prominent political, business and trade union leaders as well as representatives from workplaces in sub-Saharan Africa to discuss the workplace response to the pandemic. This event is part of a collaboration between ILO/AIDS and the Swedish HIV/Aids Workplace Programme (SWHAP), initiated by the International Council of Swedish Industry and the Swedish Industrial and Metalworkers’ Union, to partner for increased action and strengthened implementation of HIV/AIDS workplace responses in sub-Saharan Africa.

A number of Swedish businesses have played a leading role in the HIV response in Sweden and world wide. The event will highlight good practices, responses and lessons learnt to increase interest for responding to HIV/AIDS among Swedish companies and trade unions.

Speakers are:

Åke Svensson, President and CEO of SAAB
Cedric Gina, President of National Union of Metalworkers, South Africa
Joakim Stymne, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation
Behrouz Shahandeh, Senior Technical Adviser, ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
Sipho Given Selenda, employee at Atlas Copco South Africa

WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK: Employers and Trade Unions played a crucial role in supporting actions to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic

For the World Day for Decent Work, the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work (ILO/AIDS) recognizes the pivotal role played by trade unions and employers in supporting action to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and in reaching those most in need.

The statement issued today by the programme mentioned that "unless we address HIV/AIDS, we cannot hope to achieve sustainable and equitable globalization as called for by the G20 at their meeting in Pittsburgh in September this year and set out in the ILO Declaration for Social Justice (2008)."

The statement recalled that the ILO constituents are developing a new labour standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work: "In order to reduce stigma and discrimination and to strengthen the workplace response to HIV/AIDS, the constituents of the ILO decided to develop a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. It will build on the Code of Practice, reinforce its principles, particularly with respect to stigma and discrimination and the contribution of the workplace to the achievement of Universal Access to prevention, treatment, care and support".

October 7, 2008 has been set to be the World Day for Decent Work by trade unions, union federations and other workers associations, which develop their actions to promote the idea of Decent Work around the world.

>> Statement on the World Day for Decent Work

News from ICAAP – the AIDS Conference for Asia and the Pacific

The ILO is playing a prominent role together with fellow UNAIDS partners at ICAAP in Bali, Indonesia, from 9 to 13 August. With the theme ‘Empowering People, Strengthening Networks’ the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific is bringing together people from across the region to share knowledge, skills, ideas, and research findings related to HIV and AIDS.

ILO member States take significant steps in the development of a new human rights instrument on HIV/AIDS – Questions and Answers with Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work: http://www.ilo.org/asia/whatwedo/events/lang--en/docName--WCMS_112445/index.htm

More information: http://www.ilo.org/asia/whatwedo/events/lang--en/WCMS_112398/index.htm

New international standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work – third report

The ILO has published the third report in preparation for the new labour standard on HIV/AIDS. It contains the draft text of the instrument, based on the conclusions of the discussion held at the International Labour Conference (ILC), June 2009. It is being circulated to ILO member States for comments, and on the basis of these a revised text will be prepared with a view to adoption at the 99th session of the ILC in June 2010.

ILC 99 Report V(1) - HIV/AIDS and the world of work: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_112365.pdf

More about the ongoing discussions: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/trav/aids/events/ilc09.htm

New international instrument on HIV/AIDS and the world of work - discussion starts

The International Labour Organization is holding its annual International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland from 3-19 June. As well as crisis responses - including a Global Jobs Summit, and gender equality the Conference will discuss the form and content of a new standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. >Read more about the ongoing discussions

International standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work: second report presents views of ILO constituents

In the course of its work towards the adoption of a new international instrument on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, the ILO has now issued Report IV (2), presenting the views of the ILO's constituents on the new standard.

The first report, entitled HIV/AIDS and the world of work, Report IV (1), was published and disseminated to all ILO member States in January 2008, and contained a questionnaire to which the member States, in consultation with the social partners, were asked to respond by 31 August 2008.

The second report, Report IV(2), summarizes almost 250 responses received from governments, employers and workers to this questionnaire. The vast majority of the constituents recognised the need to increase the attention paid to the issue of HIV/AIDS in the world of work through the adoption of a new international instrument. Moreover, there was a general consensus in the replies that the instrument should incorporate and strengthen the ten key principles contained in the ILO Code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work.

On the basis of those responses, the report contains draft conclusions regarding the proposed contents of the new instrument. The first and second reports will now serve as the basis for the discussions to be undertaken at the International Labour Conference in June 2009 on the form and content of the new instrument.

New course on HIV/AIDS and the world of work

A two-week course on HIV/AIDS has been added to the programme of the ILO's training centre in Italy. The course is aimed at a diverse range of planners, leaders and decision-makers and offers the opportunity to strengthen capacity to develop and implement workplace policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS. The approach will be interactive and collaborative, drawing on a variety of methodologies, and building on the experience of participants. This course entitled HIV/AIDS and the World of Work:a social protection perspective will be held from 7 to 18 September 2009. Read more details about the content of the course programme and methodology. Download the regsitration form

Responses by employers' organizations and their members in Africa

The International Organisation of employers and the Pan-African Employers' Confederation launched a joint publication on 3 June 2009, during the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland: HIV/AIDS Challenges in the Workplace: Responses by employers' organizations and their members in Africa - Case studies and good practices. This publication documents demonstrate the scope of action already taken by both employers' organizations and their members, providing examples of innovative responses to the pandemic. It also demonstrates how constructive and proactive responses to HIV/AIDS in the workplace can lead to good industrial relations and uninterrupted production.

Vulnerable populations: the construction sector in India

A survey by the ILO of selected construction sites in Mahashtra, India, found that male construction workers were often separated from families and home. About 25 per cent of them reported sexual contact with non-regular partners and sex workers. Female construction workers reported sexual harassment by contractors and supervisors. > Read more

ICASA round-up: Vital role of the world of work in national AIDS response

The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) closed on 7 December. In a series of events mobilizing actors from private and public workplaces, the ILO underlined the importance of concerted efforts in the world of work for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. > Read more in English or Français

News from ICASA - African employers respond to HIV/AIDS

The Pan-African Employers' Confederation (PEC) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together representatives from employers' organizations and companies in a satellite session held on Sunday 7 December. It provided the opportunity for key actors to discuss good practices in mobilizing enterprises, company clinics, employees, families and surrounding communities to deliver essential HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and - above all - create an open and non-discriminatory environment.

"Employers' organizations in Africa appreciate the importance of partnerships with the National AIDS Programme and this is why the Pan African Employers' Confederation is grateful to the Minister of Health of Senegal, Dr. Safiatou Thiam, for her close working relations with the Senegalese Employers' Federation'', said Azad Jeetun, PEC Secretary-General. ''The national AIDS response needs to be well coordinated and inclusive of the various stakeholders in the country in order to be effective." Frederick Muia, IOE Senior Adviser, appealed to the various financial and technical agencies to support the work being carried out by employers' organizations in Africa in order to benefit small enterprises and the local community. Mr. Muia also announced the launch of a new publication on African employers' good practices on HIV/AIDS in 2009. > Read the flyer for the session in English or Français and the announcement brochure for the publication English or Français

News from ICASA: the impact of HIV/AIDS on public sector employees

In addition to meetings showcasing the HIV/AIDS programmes of private companies and business coalitions, the ILO - with GTZ - presented good practices and lessons learned from the HIV/AIDS workplace programmes of ministries and public authorities in a range of countries. > Read more

News from ICASA: special session on new HIV/AIDS labour standard

The ILO brought together the Senegal Ministry of Labour, employers' and workers' organizations, and United Nations representatives on 4 December to present information and share views on the new Recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. Mr. Mamadou Sow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, expressed his support for the Recommendation, explaining the need to address the impact of AIDS on enterprises and build on best practices. Mr. Assane Diop, ILO Executive Director, Social Protection Sector, explained how workplaces have become centres of hope and effective entry points for access to prevention, treatment, care and support. > Read more in English or Français

News from ICASA: mobilizing women business leaders

Harnessing the energy and commitment of women in business requires strong collaboration between the private sector (business and labour), women's groups and AIDS organizations. It also requires vision and leadership, particularly from business women already engaged in the response to HIV. A side event was organized in Dakar on 4 December by the Global Business Coalition on AIDS, TB and Malaria (GBC), the African Development Bank (ADB), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided an opportunity for private sector leaders, and others to share their experiences, and brainstorm on how to engage more women business leaders in HIV advocacy and programmes. > Read more

News from ICASA: building a comprehensive private sector response

Representatives of employers' and workers' organizations, national business coalitions, multinational companies together with small, medium and micro enterprises put their heads together at a satellite session jointly organized by the ILO and UNAIDS to discuss ways of expanding the private sector response. They've agreed to keep pooling efforts to build a more inclusive and coherent private sector response. > Read more

News from ICASA: Workplace leaders pledge to act on HIV/AIDS

Over 50 leaders from the world of work gathered on 4 December at the invitation of the ILO for a group photo and common pledge. All the delegates had earlier visited the Workplace Leaders Pledge Centre and committed themselves to implementing specific initiatives to address HIV/AIDS in their own workplaces once home. > Read more

News from ICASA: Post-exposure prophylaxis to protect front-line workers

The ILO and the WHO organized a satellite session to present and invite discussion of new joint guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and HIV/AIDS. PEP is the provision of preventive measures within 72 hours of exposure to HIV. The new guidelines have been created to explain the efficacy of PEP, the dosage and combination of ARVs to use, conditions of use and ethical implications, including issues of compensation. The guidelines provide a strong case for national authorities to include PEP provision in their HIV policies. > Read more

Trade unions leaders speak out on World AIDS Day

Trade unions in all regions organized advocacy and education activities for World AIDS Day, while national and international leaders reiterated their commitment to union and workplace action on HIV/AIDS.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) issued a call on governments to step up action to combat the HIV pandemic and ensure access to treatment for all HIV-positive people. "Tackling the pandemic must be a central objective of governments, and the global economic crisis must not be allowed to detract from this effort. Hard-pressed health systems in many of the most affected countries must receive adequate funding to ensure delivery," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. > Read more

Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary of ITUC-AFRICA, urged the G8 members to fulfil their commitments on Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, and engaged African national trade unions and all in civil society to join in actions. > Read more

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) echoed African trade union leaders and pledged to boost efforts to strengthen accountability by Canada and other G8 countries for promises made on HIV/AIDS. CLC President Ken Georgetti urged the Canadian Government to provide effective leadership on HIV/AIDS commitments, especially once it takes over the G8 presidency. He stressed that the current global financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to cut back on resources needed for HIV/AIDS. > Read more

The UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) launched two new HIV/AIDS projects in Africa with a particular focus on stigma and discrimination. TUC Aid - the development arm of the UK trade unions - will be assisting the Timber Workers' Union (TWU) in Ghana and the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) in Uganda. > Read more

Education International (EI) organized "One Hour on AIDS" for schools on World AIDS Day. EI produced a kit for teachers to help them adapt their lessons, part of a large- scale campaign to get HIV/AIDS into the schools curriculum throughout the year. > Read more

The newly-elected leaders of the International Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Union (ICEM) showed their leadership by signing a pledge to reaffirm ICEM's commitment to fight AIDS in the workplace. The pledge was signed by all 840 trade union leaders who attended ICEM's 4th World Congress in Bangkok just prior to World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS is a priority for ICEM affiliates in most governing bodies, in women's caucuses, on health and safety committees, and - most importantly - in negotiations with companies. > Read more

The International Transport Federation (ITF) has produced campaign guidelines on World AIDS Day activities and publicity materials for affiliates, with a media pack and case studies on HIV/AIDS and transport workers. During the week leading up to WAD, ITF also organized a sub-regional seminar in Ghana, 'Engaging global terminal operating companies in workplace responses to HIV/AIDS', to develop strategies and action plans targeting port operations. > Read more

Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, urged affiliates to take the lead in combatting discrimination against workers who are HIV-positive or suspected of being so. "Unions are of strategic importance in tackling a disease which mainly affects the young working population, women and the socially vulnerable. Unions in these predominantly female sectors of industry are particularly well-placed to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS at the workplace." > Read more

The Chair of the Global Union AIDS Programme (GUAP) appealed to governments, the international community and other actors to make Universal Access an urgent priority for the next two years, in time for the 2010 target. Wide-scale workplace actions must be part of the response to HIV/AIDS, as to the global economic crisis and development over the long term, said Alan Leather. "Governments must support workplace leaders - shop stewards, health and safety committee members, educators, managers, union officials - men and women who voluntarily give their time to other workers and their families for HIV prevention, care and support." > Read more

Over the past few months, GUAP has organized a programme of events in Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria leading up to and culminating on World AIDS Day. This was done in close cooperation with the World AIDS Campaign as part of its efforts to mobilize and support collaboration between a range of civil society organizations at national level.

Preserving health of workers after accidental exposure to HIV

National authorities are strongly urged to provide HIV post-exposure prophylaxis as part as their national HIV policy, according to a new set of joint guidelines presented today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The guidelines, jointly developed by the ILO and the WHO, were presented and discussed today in a joint satellite session at the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), taking place in Dakar from 3 to 7 December. > Read the guidelines

HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Women in Rural Ethiopia

In rural Ethiopian communities, stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to testing and open disucssion of HIV/AIDS. An exceptional woman is working to break down these barriers in Ethiopia. > See the video

HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Women in Rural Ethiopia

Facing the realities in Africa: the ILO at the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), Dakar, Senegal, 3-7 December 2008

The ILO is bringing governments, employers and workers together to demonstrate the effectiveness of workplace responses to HIV/AIDS at ICASA 2008.

The ILO is organizing seven satellite sessions jointly with a range of partners, on key themes such as migration, public and private sector workplace programmes, responses in the mining sector, women in business. On Thursday 4 December, we will hold a special session to discuss the proposed new labour standard on HIV/AIDS, with key workplace actors, including the Minister of Labour of Senegal, employers' and workers' representatives, UN partners, and legal specialists.

In addition the ILO is offering four skills-building workshops and holding a special media event. > Read the programme of ILO activities in English and in Français

The ILO is also presenting an exhibition of posters depicting HIV/AIDS leadership by constituents across the continent. > Read the stories for Benin, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

World AIDS Day 2008 in the World of Work

The ILO and its constituent invite you to take a moment to remember the more than 25 million people who have died as a result of AIDS, and the over 7000 who are newly-infected with HIV each day. At the same time we celebrate the fact that almost three million people with HIV are continuing to live and work as a result of antiretroviral medication.

In response to the epidemic, governments, employers and workers worldwide are leading workplace responses in their countries, empowering workers to protect themselves and their families from HIV, and delivering HIV prevention, care and treatment at and through the workplace.

ILO offices, constituents and workplaces in every region are organizing events to mark World AIDS Day in support of national AIDS programmes. > Read the country round-up and list of activities organized by the ILO

At headquarters, the ILO is presenting an exhibition of Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe, organized by the Ruwa Gallery which was set up in 1990 as a workshop and school as well as a gallery. The sale of sculptures helps maintain the school and support the artists. HIV/AIDS has become a major threat to this unique form of art, as prominent artists succumb to the epidemic. Master artists are prevented from passing on their knowledge, and younger artists are being lost. >Read more about the exhibition

At 12.30 there will be a short ceremony in the ILO Colonnade to open the sculpture exhibition and launch World AIDS Day - we will also form our annual human AIDS ribbon. Join us for the picture.

As in previous years, the ILO is also joining in the Geneva-based activities of the international community and local associations to commemorate World AIDS Day. >For more details: please see the flyers

Empowering employers and workers in the transport sector

The ILO and the international organizations of employers and workers - IRU (International Road Transport Union) and ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) - are holding a three-day training course for managers and workers in the transport sector, based on the new ILO, IRU and ITF toolkit for the road transport sector. >Read more about the event

The world of work emerged as a major theme at the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City

The Conference highlighted the impact of AIDS on the productive population of some of the world's most vulnerable economies, as well as the need for successful mobilization of the workplace as an entry point for AIDS responses.

It also set the stage for discussions on the development of a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS, currently in preparation for approval at the International Labour Conference in 2010

Government, employer and worker representatives, who attended the conference from all regions, jointly conveyed the message that it is not only workplace action but tripartite action in and through the workplace that has proven itself to be effective and sustainable.

"The world of work can offer a lead through tripartite collaboration to create trust, tolerance and respect for rights and human dignity. This is at the heart of the ILO's Decent Work Agenda", said Mexico's Minister of Labour, Dr Javier Lozano Alarcon, who chaired a satellite meeting organized by the ILO to discuss a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS. Speakers included the Minister of Labour of El Salvador, Dr Jose Roberto Espinal, the ILO's Regional Director for the Americas, Mr Jean Maninat.

Speaking on behalf of the employers, Mr Patrick Obath, President of the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), emphasized the ground-breaking role of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work and the lead shown by employers in its implementation.

Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers' Union and workers' spokesperson to the ILO Governing Body, also pointed to the importance of the Code and urged the AIDS community to give workers the chance to use their comparative advantage in reaching communities at the grassroots level.

The Director of the ILO/AIDS Department, Dr Sophia Kisting, affirmed the need for the tripartite constituents of the ILO to have ownership of the process to develop a new HIV/AIDS labour standard, while Mr Michel Sidibe, who spoke on behalf of the UNAIDS family as a whole, said "the world of work is one of the most important spaces to make a difference in the fight against AIDS".

The satellite concluded a series of activities organized or supported by the ILO, as well as a successful programme of activities by the ILO's constituents.

These included a meeting organized by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), which showed the leadership role employers are playing in responses to HIV/AIDS. It also presented the activities they're developing within their own sphere of influence.

The Global Unions AIDS Programme - which brings together the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and ten international union federations covering all major economic sectors - arranged a Labour Forum ahead of the Conference to promote the participation of union members and exchange experiences.

The XVII International AIDS Conference - which gathered more than 20,000 participants from around the globe - provided an important opportunity for the ILO and its constituents to engage with a broad range of workplace stakeholders to discuss HIV work-related issues and future courses of action.

UNAIDS launches 2008 Global Report on AIDS epidemic

The 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic was launched on 29 July at UN Headquarters in New York by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, and Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. Simulataneous launches were held in regional offices of the UN and in Geneva. Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO/AIDS, spoke at the ceremony in Geneva, together with Dr Kevin de Cock, Director of the WHO HIV/AIDS Department, and Dr Paul de Lay, UNAIDS Secretariat.

This report is the most comprehensive to date on the response to AIDS. It includes data from 147 countries against 25 core targets set in the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted in 2001, and the political declaration adopted at the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS. The information presented in the report enables readers to assess progress made since 2001 and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the AIDS response at country level.

It highlights the significant increase in prevention and treatment services which are producing measurable results particularly with a decreasing number of new HIV infections. But the epidemic is not over in any part of the world as for every 2 people starting on treatment there are 5 new infections. The report clearly shows that stronger measures are needed to turn the epidemic around and prevention remains a priority.

The report also stresses the stability of new infections among women: about half of them are women. About 45% of these were among young people aged 15-24 years.

Universal action on HIV/AIDS at the workplace: the ILO at the XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2008, Mexico City

The ILO will host a series of events at the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, which opens this Sunday, designed to illustrate the growing importance of the workplace in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Its delegation is led by Mr. Jean Maninat, Regional Director for the Americas.

The ILO's Programme on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work (ILO/AIDS) will use the Conference as a global platform for presenting progress in developing a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS during a satellite session at 18:30 on Thursday 7 August.

The Conference will also see an event on Tuesday 5 August, organized by the International Organization of Employers and supported by the ILO, which will highlight the contribution of the private sector and employers' organizations to national efforts on HIV/AIDS.

The ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will join forces to discuss labour migration and mobility, which are emerging as increasingly critical issues in the design of AIDS responses. UNAIDS, in collaboration with the ILO and IOM, have developed a policy brief focusing on the HIV-related needs and rights of international labour migrants, which will be formally launched on Sunday 3 August at a satellite session at 09.00. See also the policy brief.

The ILO, the World Bank AIDS Campaign Team for Africa (ACTafrica) and UNAIDS will hold a satellite session on their operational and collaborative experiences in responding to HIV/AIDS in the Workplace in Sub-Saharan Africa on Sunday 3 August, at 11:15.

The ILO will host a WORKPLACE ADVICE CENTRE in the networking zone of the Global Village - this will offer advice, materials and the chance to meet and exchange experiences of workplace action. It will be supported by UN Plus, the network of HIV-positive UN staff.

Posters on the responses from employers, workers and governments to HIV/AIDS through the workplace in various countries will be presented from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 August in the Posters exhibition area, Hall D.

See the complete list of ILO events.

To meet with the ILO's representatives at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico and get more information about global, regional and country level responses to HIV/AIDS at the workplace, please go to stand 422 of the Global Village or the ILO desk in the UNAIDS booth - C322 in Exhibition Hall D.

African trade unions ask for G8 better accountability mechanisms about HIV/AIDS

The General Secretary of ITUC-AFRO, Kwasi Adu-Smankwah, has endorsed the call by the Global Union AIDS Programme (GUAP) for trade unions to deliver a message about HIV/AIDS to the Japanese Embassy of their country in preparation to the G8 meeting to be held in July in Japan. This meeting will be an opportunity for the richest countries of the world to discuss African development and universal access to HIV treatment, care and support, as well as the strengthening of health systems generally.

Mr. Adu-Smakwah also encouraged unions to plan their actions as for the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, 28 April, which aims to highlight health system development and delivery under the banner of "Good Occupational Health For All Workers".

More languages!

The Joint ILO-WHO guidelines on health services and HIV/AIDS are now available in Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Russian, and Vietnamese, as well as English, French and Spanish. ILO and WHO staff in country offices are assisting with their dissemination and application.

The ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work has now been translated into 54 language with the recent addition of Chichewa.

Saving Lives, Protecting jobs: impact data and success stories

More than 650 workplaces across the world are now collaborating with the ILO/AIDS SHARE (Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in Enterprises)programme, which today launches its second report, "Saving lives, Protecting jobs" in English and in French.

The report provides findings on the impact of workplace interventions, as well as a collection of good practices and success stories.

It gives an insight into the overall SHARE programme, which has now been running for five years. It includes a special focus on the experiences and achievements of the pioneer country projects in Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Guyana, India and Togo, which are becoming sustainable national programmes. The report also captures major developments, innovations and partnerships from other countries.

The SHARE Programme aims to implement the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work through overcoming discrimination, changing behaviour and facilitating access to services and treatment.

It covers 24 countries and has reached an estimated one million workers to date with the financial support of the United States Department of Labor.

International standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work: report with extensive new data

To expand and strengthen AIDS responses in the world of work, the ILO Governing Body decided in March 2007 to develop a new labour standard on HIV/AIDS. In preparation, the Office assembled information for an overview 'law and practice' report, including the most comprehensive compilation to date of national laws and policies on HIV/AIDS, covering 170 countries. The report and its accompanying questionnaire have been sent to the ILO's member States for consultation with its constituents on the form and content of the proposed standard. Governments are to reply to the questionnaire in consultation with employers and workers.

The draft standard - an "autonomous Recommendation" - will be discussed at the International Labour Conference in June 2009.
ACCESS THE REPORT IN YOUR LANGUAGE:

> English

> Français

> Español

> Arabic

> Deutsch

> Russian

> Chinese

Read more about the drafting procedure in English, Français, Español
The replies of governments and constituents to the questionnaire should be received by the Office by August 2008. Based on these replies, the Office will prepare a second report consisting of a summary of the replies and draft conclusions for the first Conference discussion that will be sent to the constituents by January 2009.