VCT@WORK and the ILO Recommendation No. 200

HIV testing should be conducted in accordance with the provisions of ILO’s HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200) which includes the following:

  • Testing must be genuinely voluntary and free of any coercion and testing programmes must respect international guidelines on confidentiality counselling and consent.
  • Real or perceived HIV status should not be a ground of discrimination, preventing the recruitment or continued employment, or the pursuit of equal opportunities.
  • Real or perceived HIV status should not be a cause for termination of employment.
  • Persons with HIV-related illness should not be denied the possibility of continuing to carry out their work, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, for as long as they are medically fit to do so.
  • There should be no discrimination against workers or their dependants based on real or perceived HIV status in access to social security systems and occupational insurance schemes, or in relation to benefits under such schemes, including for health care and disability, and death and survivors’ benefits.