HIV/AIDS in the Workplace

The ILO Program on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS) plays a key role in advancing non-discrimination in the workplace. In partnership with other donors and organizations, ILO/AIDS is working to develop and implement policies and programs to protect workers from HIV infection. It is also working to facilitate equal access to care, treatment and support for all those who are living with or affected by the disease.

ILO’s HIV/AIDS Office is a primary implementer of US DOL’s programs and has established the well-recognized HIV/AIDS Code of Practice, training manuals to implement the Code in the workplace, training manuals for employers and unions, and a toolkit for Behavior Change Communication (BCC) development. Over the past nine years ILO/AIDS has received $28.4 million from the US Government, and is continuing to deliver results. The activities of the Washington Office focus on coordinating the work of ILO/AIDS within the United States to support key policies and programs.

The ILO is a co-sponsoring agency of UNAIDS and with the aim of strengthening the global response to HIV in the workplace, is making efforts to promote the recognition of Recommendation 200 among NGOs, think tanks, and other organizations. UNAIDS is a unique UN structure, established in 1994 by a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and launched in January 1996. It brought together ten UN system organizations, including the ILO, for coordinated and accountable efforts to unite the world against AIDS. The Cosponsors and the UNAIDS Secretariat comprise the Committee of Cosponsoring Organizations (CCO), which serves a standing committee of the Program Coordinating Board (PCB). It is a forum to consider matters of major importance to UNAIDS, and to provide input to the policies and strategies of UNAIDS. UNAIDS is guided by a Program Coordinating Board (PCB) with representatives of 22 governments from all geographic regions, the UNAIDS Cosponsors, and five representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including associations of people living with HIV. UNAIDS has been a successful effort in the fight against the disease: new HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years, according to the 2009 AIDS epidemic update.