Deadly, fearful, contagious and scared were some words that were used by 30 unionists on the first day they joined the two-day Training of Trainers on HIV/AIDS Prevention and VCT Initiative for Trade Union Organizations, held in Jakarta from 13-14 February. However, after engaging in lively and interactive discussions, they left with an attitude of concern and love for people with HIV by using more positive words such as care, treatable, supportive and equal.

This also demonstrated the importance of proper knowledge on HIV and AIDS basic information as means to change people’s attitude and stigma against people living with HIV, as one of the main goals of the training. The other goal was to strengthen the capacity of the trade union organizations and their members on HIV education and prevention programmes.

The training was conducted by the ILO through its HIV and AIDS prevention programme at the workplace based on the request of the trade union confederations. They were committed to improve their knowledge and capacities on HIV and AIDS prevention programme at workplace so that they could better protect their members on issues related to HIV and AIDS.

“There are some incidents where some workers who are found to be HIV positive get terminated from their workplaces. Therefore, it is very important for the trade unionists to have better understanding about the HIV and AIDS and to have the capacities to scale-up their workplace prevention programme to provide better protection for their members and other workers,” said Early Dewi Nuriana, the ILO programme officer on HIV and AIDS.

Sessions of the training included myths and facts on HIV and AIDS, the principle framework and policy of HIV programme at the workplace, lessons learnt on HIV prevention programme through human resources department, occupational safety and health (OSH) unit and other related services/policies at the workplace. In addition, the training presented a testimony from a HIV-positive worker who still productively work at a multinational company.

“The testimony really changed my perspective about HIV and AIDS. People with HIV are as productive as other workers and I admire the strength shown to continue educating people about stigma and discrimination against people with HIV,” told Tri Ruswati from All Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI), one of the participants.

Meanwhile, Agung from the Confederation of Indonesian Prosperous Labour Union (KSBSI) said that the training had opened his eyes about HIV and AIDS related issues at the workplaces. “Thanks to the ILO for this training. I participated in the HIV training a long time ago and it feels enlightening for me and my other unionist colleagues to participate in this refresher training.”

He added that trade unionists were less familiar with HIV issues than wages issues. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of inserting HIV prevention education at the workplace so that HIV prevention education and non-discriminatory policy could be included in the collective bargaining agreement with the management.

The training completed with establishment of future workplan and action plan for internal trade union organizations. Socialization for union members has been chosen as the main activity by all union organizations to increase HIV awareness among their members. Various ideas for socialization included the insertion of HIV awareness education in regular meetings or trainings at both board member and member levels, on communications outlets such as website and social media and dissemination of questionnaires to learn about level of HIV knowledge, attitude and risky behavior.

“ILO will continue to support the capacity improvement of the core team of union trainers on HIV. The ILO will also support the educational activities to educate union members on HIV prevention and non-discriminatory policy at the workplace. The next step after HIV capacity building and sensitization is to organize a VCT initiative for trade union organizations,” Early Dewi stated.