Platform of Action on HIV/AIDS in the context of the World of Work in Africa

Resolution concerning HIV/AIDS in the context
of the world of work in Africa

The Ninth African Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization,

Having considered the question of HIV/AIDS in the context of the world of work in Africa,

Noting the Platform for action adopted by the ILO Regional Tripartite Workshop (Windhoek, Namibia, 11-13 October 1999);

Invites the Governing Body of the ILO —

1. to communicate to governments of the African region the Platform for action on HIV/AIDS in the context of the world of work in Africa that is appended to this resolution;
2. to appeal to governments, in collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other concerned groups, to use appropriate measures to implement the Platform for action on an urgent, immediate and continuous basis;
3. to request the Director-General of the ILO —

   (i) to provide, where possible, the necessary expertise and technical assistance to help member States implement the Platform for action;

   (ii) to strengthen collaboration and cooperation with concerned international agencies, especially UNAIDS, and bilateral and multilateral agencies, with a view to reinforcing national action against HIV/AIDS in the context of the world of work.

Platform for action on HIV/AIDS in the
context of the world of work in Africa

I.       Preamble

AIDS threatens every man, woman and child in Africa today. The pandemic is the most serious social, labour and humanitarian challenge of our time. Since its start two decades ago, AIDS and HIV have taken a catastrophic toll in Africa, decimating its population, tearing apart the very social fabric of its societies and threatening its economies. Its toll of debilitating illness, widespread and indiscriminate death, deteriorating quality of life and life expectancy, threatens to reverse the hard-won social and economic gains of African countries and, ultimately, the very future of the continent.

AIDS is rapidly becoming the single most serious threat to social and economic progress in Africa today. The true cost of the pandemic is almost incalculable. Its impact is aggravated by the overall economic, political and social context, as well as some cultural practices, dominated by a weak economic base, high unemployment, pervasive poverty, and the negative consequences of structural adjustment, all of which further undermine Africa’s ability to compete in the global market.

The pandemic has manifested itself in the world of work – the area of the ILO’s mandate – in the following ways: discrimination in employment, social exclusion of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), additional distortion of gender inequalities, increased numbers of AIDS orphans, and increased incidence of child labour. It has also disrupted the performance of the informal sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Other manifestations are low productivity, depleted human capital, challenged social security systems and threatened occupational safety and health, especially among certain groups at risk such as migrant workers and their communities and workers in the medical and transport sectors.

Clearly, AIDS is no longer just a health problem. It is a developmental crisis with potentially ominous consequences for Africa and the world. Yet, a culture of silence, fear and denial continues to reign and prevent action. The stigma and the fear engendered by AIDS fuels discrimination, persecution and ignorance. Despite this, the spread of AIDS can be prevented. A multidimensional response to AIDS is needed to prevent its spread and protect those who live with its consequences. In the absence of a cure, what is needed is a "social vaccine" that includes such elements as social inclusion, income and job security, social security and solidarity.

In search of awareness, action and commitment, participants from 20 African countries, meeting in Windhoek from 11 to 13 October 1999, in tripartite delegations, adopted the following Platform for action to respond to this crisis at workplace, community, national, regional and international levels.

The meeting called upon all African governments to declare HIV/AIDS a national disaster requiring urgent attention and mobilization of resources.

II. Common values

It was agreed that the following would form a set of overall principles, which should guide the formulation of policies and programmes:

1. Tripartism, allied with civil society, NGOs and other stakeholders.
2. Social justice and compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS (PWLHA).
3. A sense of shared responsibility among all actors.
4. Good governance, transparency and accountability for results.
5. Partnerships among international and national agencies to complement one another on the basis of comparative advantage.

III. Goals

It was agreed that, while awaiting a medical vaccine, the aim should be to apply a "social vaccine" for prevention and protection which would include elements such as: social inclusion, income and job security, social security, solidarity and optimal use of treatment.

IV. Actions

In order to achieve these goals, action backed by strong African political, religious, traditional and community leadership and commitment should focus on:

1. fighting the culture of denial;
2. raising national awareness of the incidence and impact of the pandemic through, among other things, information, education and communication;
3. eliminating the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS by adopting and applying the ILO’s international labour standards and national labour legislation;
4. documenting and disseminating information and statistical data through effective labour market information systems;
5. strengthening the capacity of the social partners to address the pandemic;
6. empowering women economically, socially and politically in order to reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS;
7. promoting the transformation of gender roles, norms and social structures;
8. integrating HIV/AIDS in existing social security schemes and developing new ones to ensure coverage for all;
9. building capacity to address the dilemma facing AIDS orphans and children exposed to infection or forced into child labour;
10. incorporating HIV/AIDS considerations into the national development agenda and budget allocations;
11. creating a rapid response mechanism to mitigate against the implications of the pandemic;
12. promoting income and employment opportunities for PLWHA and their families through, for example, informal sector and small enterprise development;
13. strengthening occupational safety and health systems to protect groups at risk;
14. formulating and implementing social and labour policies and programmes that mitigate the effect of AIDS;
15. effectively mobilizing resources;
16. improving availability and affordability of drugs;
17. incorporating HIV/AIDS in collective bargaining agreements.

V. Partnerships

In order to mount an effective response to the HIV/AIDS crisis and address its many faceted implications, national level partnerships should be built rapidly among all the key actors: governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, NGOs and other civil society groups, including religious and traditional leaders. Partnerships should also be forged among and with bilateral and multilateral agencies, as well as regional organizations and United Nations agencies through among others, joint planning, collection, dissemination and exchange of information on good practice and ensuring synergy in programmes.

VI. Role of the ILO

The ILO should strengthen its activities in fighting HIV/AIDS in the region through improved knowledge, vigorous advocacy, and expanded services. The ILO tripartite structure provides a unique mechanism for intensifying the response to HIV/AIDS.

1. In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the ILO should collaborate with concerned international organizations, participate in the decision-making process regarding HIV/AIDS at the global level, and consider becoming a co-sponsor of UNAIDS.
2. The ILO should adapt and apply concepts, methods and tools it has developed on labour and social issues for responding to the design of research and programmes on HIV/AIDS.
3. The ILO should expand its capacity to deal with HIV/AIDS, especially in its multidisciplinary teams, through, for example, training, resource mobilization and secondment of experts from UNAIDS.
4. The ILO should undertake research and surveys to determine the implications of HIV/AIDS for the world of work, including its effects on the growth of the labour force and participation rates, women, child labour, union membership, productivity and competitiveness, informal sector and small enterprise development.
5. The ILO should document and disseminate through all appropriate means information on national experiences including best practices.
6. The ILO should engage in advocacy and training on HIV/AIDS and the world of work targeting the political leadership, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society.
7. The ILO should include HIV/AIDS in its regional meetings and consider organizing a special session on the subject at the International Labour Conference.
8. The ILO should integrate HIV/AIDS issues and gender components in all its programmes and technical cooperation projects in the region.
9. The ILO should develop a policy, programme and structure to address the issue of HIV/AIDS and the world of work.
10. The ILO should strengthen the capacity of its social partners to formulate and effectively implement policies, programmes and activities at the national and enterprise levels.
11. The ILO should consider submitting this draft Platform of action on HIV/AIDS in Africa to the Ninth African Regional Meeting (Abidjan, 8-11 December 1999) for its consideration and formal adoption.

VII. A call for immediate action

Action against HIV/AIDS is primarily a national responsibility. The enormity and exceptional nature of the problem require exceptional measures. Member States are therefore urged to adopt and implement this Platform of action on an urgent, immediate and continuous basis.

Updated by HK. Approved by RH. Last update: 2 June 2000.

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