APPEAL OF DOUALA We, representatives of Employers’ Organizations from 15 West and Central African countries present at the sub_regional workshop : "The Action of Employers in the face of HIV/AIDS in the Labour World", held in Douala, Cameroon, from 28 to 30 November 2000 under the auspices of ILO, UNAIDS, IOE and PCE: · Aware that HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that threatens all individuals, and whose effects are particularly felt in the labour world in terms of discrimination, recruitment, working conditions, occupational safety, absenteeism, decline in productivity, aggravation of gender inequalities, increase in the number of orphans and working children and social protection of people living with HIV/AIDS; · Acknowledging the potential offered by Employers’ Organizations in partnership with Workers’ Organizations and Governments to contribute more effectively to HIV/AIDS control in the Labour World ; · Taking inspiration from the spirit of previous meetings on HIV/AIDS held in Windhoek and Abidjan and the agreement signed between ILO and UNAIDS ;

Desirous to establish a link between HIV/AIDS control strategies and policies and programmes of employment promotion, social protection, international labour standards , economic integration and human resources ; Wish to launch a solemn appeal to all political, economic and social actors to combine their efforts in the formulation of efficient and sustainable policies and programmes as well as in the mobilization of adequate resources ; Pledge to conduct a vast programme of education, sensitization, training and communication for our members ; Pledge to establish systems of information, of collection and dissemination of information, statistical data and pertinent indicators on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the labour world at national and sub_regional levels and to promote the establishment and operation of interrelated observatories ; Pledge to adopt codes of good conduct and to identify, exchange and popularize the best practices; Pledge to encourage the revitalization of national HIV/AIDS control committees by getting involved in their management as well as the establishment of AIDS committees in enterprises; Pledge to encourage enterprises to provide care for PLHA; Call on the Governments of our respective countries to fully associate Employers’ Organizations with the control of the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to facilitate the development of mechanisms for providing funding for HIV/AIDS control ; Hope for the strengthening of partnership with ILO, UNAIDS, IEO, PCE in the implementation of the above and activities contained in the Plan of Action of the workshop. Done in Douala, on 30 November 2000 The Participants