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Why AIDS is a workplace issue
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 40 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. > back
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News from ILO/AIDS
A handbook on HIV/AIDS for small business associations and service providers
To meet the particular needs and constraints of small and micro enterprises in the face of HIV/AIDS, the ILO Programme on Boosting Employment through Small Enterprise Development (SEED) and ILO/AIDS collaborated to produce this new handbook. It provides practical guidance for those who regulate, advise and support SMEs, and draws on lessons learnt including a collection of case studies. It aims to help the relevant individuals and institutions integrate HIV/AIDS concerns in their existing activities and programmes.
Lecture by Justice Edwin Cameron on HIV/AIDS in the world of work
Justice Edwin Cameron, Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, gave a public lecture at the ILO on 19 June 2007, organized by the International Institute for labour Studies and ILO/AIDS. The subject was 'Legislating an epidemic: the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the world of work'. Justice Cameron gave particular emphasis to the impact of discrimination and stigmatization, the complex issues related to testing in the framework of a prevention and treatment strategy, and the urgent need to increase access to ARVs. > Read the text
Guyana trade unions mobilize
The International Transport Federation organized a workshop on 5 June in Guyana for affiliated union leaders from nine countries in the Caribbean. At the opening, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Health, commented on the significant role of trade unions in the fight against HIV, especially in terms of eliminating stigma and discrimination, providing information and training, and encouraging behaviour change.
SAARC Labour Ministers pledge on HIV and AIDS
Labour Ministers from the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) held a meeting in Geneva on HIV/AIDS in the world of work on 12 June, during the International Labour Conference. The proposal made by Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Labour Minister of India, to establish a SAARC Forum on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work was unanimously and enthusiastically supported. Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director of the ILO Social Protection Sector, and Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of work (ILO/AIDS) pledged the support of UNAIDS and ILO for the initiative. Mr. Fernandes highlighted the need for a 'well-coordinated and systematic approach' across the region and offered to host a meeting in New Delhi in six months' time to launch the Forum.
Namibian trade unions take action on AIDS
On May 1st, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) launched its HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme in collaboration with the Namibia Development Foundation (NAMDEF). This programme will encourage and support integrated HIV/AIDS interventions including behaviour change, measures for care, support and treatment and elimination of stigma and discrimination.> Read more
United Nations Secretary-General supports the response to HIV and AIDS
On 21 May, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered a statement at the 61st session of the General Assembly on progress towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. He confirmed his support to the AIDS response promising to ensure that the international community - Governments, the private sector and civil society - remains united against the epidemic. He also mentioned his determination to speak up about the spread of AIDS in Asia. > Read more
Business opportunities for people living with HIV in Indonesia
To prevent social exclusion of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) by improving their employability and self-employment, the ILO in collaboration with the UNDP has developed a Pilot Project on Improving Access to Entrepreneurship and Business Start-Up Training for PLWHA. The project aims to train NGOs and various public and private training providers in entrepreneurship and business start-up training capacitating these to deliver training and counseling services to PLWHA. > Read more about ILO activities on HIV/AIDS in Indonesia
Honduras leaders take action on HIV/AIDS at the workplace
The First Lady of Honduras, Mrs. Castro de Zelaya, leader of the national response to HIV/AIDS, invited the Ministry of Labour and employers' and workers' representatives to a tripartite workshop on HIV/AIDS at the workplace. The participants clarified their roles and shared examples of action. They agreed on the need to set up structures to promote and coordinate action within and between the various institutions involved.
The ILO Subregional Office for Central America will provide technical support for the follow-up. > Read more in Spanish
UN+ new website
The UN+ group was established in March 2005 for HIV-positive staff in the United Nations from all regions and agencies. Among the items of interest in this first edition of the website are an interview with Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, an account of living and working with HIV by a UN+ member in Sub-Saharan Africa, and profiles of UN+ advisory group members. For more information, log on to www.unplus.org.
ILO constituents renew commitment to act on AIDS
In 2001 governments, employers and workers agreed the ground-breaking Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. Translated into over 40 languages, a reference point for laws and policies in over 70 countries, the Code of Practice will now be complemented by a Recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work.
To take forward the workplace response to AIDS, the March 2007 session of the ILO Governing Body decided to place HIV/AIDS on the agenda of the International Labour Conference in 2009. Many members took part in the discussions, some pointing to the huge advances in workplace action on AIDS, especially as the result of employer-worker collaboration, and others also recognising growing infection rates and persisting discrimination. The Conference item will focus on the development of an autonomous Recommendation.
This means that the ILO has now begun work towards the adoption of a Recommendation, primarily on the basis of consultations with constituents but also with fellow agencies of the UN system. A first discussion will be held during the International Labour Conference in June 2009, and the new standard is expected to be adopted as the outcome of a second discussion in June 2010.
Recommendations provide guidance for States and for employers' and workers' organizations, among others, and form a basis for ILO promotional and assistance measures. The Governing Body may require reports from member States periodically on the measures they are taking to implement Recommendations.
Day for occupational safety and health at work: charity run and walk
Following the successful fund-raising campaign of last year, the ILO Sports and Leisure Association, with the support of the Staff Union, organized a sponsored run and walk on Friday 27 April. The event was to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, 28 April. The theme was Safe and Healthy Workplaces - Making Decent Work a Reality. The goal was to promote health and safety, express solidarity with workers around the world, raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support fund-raising efforts.
The funds raised this year will support a project that ensures continuation of education for AIDS orphans. The funds will be handed over by the Staff Union to the Association of the Friends of the International School of Geneva, which manages this project.
New website launched on Education and HIV/AIDS
Education International (EI) launches the new EFAIDS Programme website.
The EFAIDS Programme is an initiative of EI and its partners the WHO (World Health Organisation) and EDC (Education Development Center). The Programme aims to ensure that children get free access to quality public education, and to provide teachers the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves, their colleagues and students from HIV infection and AIDS.
The website includes materials produced by teachers' unions participating in the Programme. As of May, it will also provide information on national programmes in the 'Country Activities' section.
Working with AIDS - Health and safety expert makes the connection
In an interview to The Trinidad Guardian, Dr. Benjamin Alli, ILO/AIDS, stressed the link between HIV/AIDS and occupational safety and health, stressing the importance of fighting against stigma and discrimination at the workplace. He also put emphasized the key role of legislation and education in making safety and health at the workplace a reality.> Read the article
New publication on HIV/AIDS and transport workers
The International Transport Federation has just published the first edition of Agenda, an annual publication on HIV/AIDS and transport workers. This new publication aims to help affiliates and other stakeholders to develop a trade union perspective of the epidemic within the context of a holistic response to HIV in the transport sector. > Read more
ILO welcomes EU decision to step up fight against HIV/AIDS
Ministers of Health from the European Union and 16 non-EU countries adopted the "Bremen Declaration on Responsibility and Partnership - Together Against HIV/AIDS" at a Conference organized by the German government in Bremen, Germany on 11-12 March to examine the impact of AIDS in Europe and strategic responses.
Critical issues for Europe, especially in the world of work, are discrimination and the protection of rights, confidentiality and the reintegration in the labour market of HIV-positive workers on anti-retroviral treatment.
The Conference Declaration recognizes the role of the workplace and the contribution of the ILO Code of Practice in the fight against AIDS in Europe, and invites governments, employers and workers to ensure non-discriminatory policies for people living with HIV and care and support for those affected. Read the ILO press release or access the the Conference website
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Workplace Action on HIV/AIDS
The newsletter of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
Issue 5, December 2004
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News from around the world
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