Fight HIV by knowing your status and developing non-discriminatory workplace policy

“I have been living with HIV for 16 years. I am also a mother of two children who are both HIV negative. Although I am living a productive life and have a competency to work, I could not find jobs as many companies are still afraid to hire workers with HIV,” told Baby Rivona, Co-founder and Coordinator of National Indonesian Positive Women Network (IPPI). She was one of the resource persons at the Interactive Talkshow on Knowing Your Status conducted by the ILO in Jakarta on 30 November, reflecting the theme of 2018 World AIDS Day: “Know Your Status”.

I have been living with HIV for 16 years. I am also a mother of two children who are both HIV negative. Although I am living a productive life and have a competency to work, I could not find jobs as many companies are still afraid to hire workers with HIV."

Baby Rivona, Co-founder and Coordinator of National Indonesian Positive Women Network (IPPI)

Baby provided advocacies on importance of knowing your status and non-discriminatory policies at the workplace together with Madi, Manager Assistant on Healthy and Safe Environment (HSE) of PT Jakarta Cakra Tunggal, Edwin Marshal Syarif, a musician and Early Dewi Nuriana, the ILO’s officer for HIV and AIDS. Attended by more than 50 participants, the interactive talkshow highlighted the rights of people with HIV to be employed and the elimination of stigma and discrimination through the implementation of non-discriminatory policy at the workplace.

Through the HIV and AIDS prevention programme that is linked with the occupational safety and health issues, we raise the workers’ awareness about HIV prevention at the workplace."

Madi, Manager Assistant on Healthy and Safe Environment (HSE) of PT Jakarta Cakra Tunggal

Madi shared the HIV prevention programmes that have been taken under his company. The company has set up a team for the HIV and AIDS prevention programme. The team is assigned to provide an educational programme about HIV by linking it with the occupational safety and health issues. “Through this programme, we raise the workers’ awareness about HIV prevention at the workplace.”

Through good educational programme, we can develop a stronger society that supports and cares about HIV related issues, particularly about people with HIV. HIV is everybody’s business."

Edwin Marshal Syarif, a musician from the Indonesian music band, Cokelat

Meanwhile, as a musician Edwin emphasized the importance of care and the inclusion of HIV related issues in educational programmes starting from schools. He believed that good understanding about HIV would be able to eliminate stigma and discrimination against HIV. “Through good educational programme, we can develop a stronger society that supports and cares about HIV related issues, particularly about people with HIV. HIV is everybody’s business,” he said.

I worked as a seafarer for about 18 years and visited many countries. At the beginning I feel worried to take an HIV test. Finally I did the test and the result is negative. I feel relieved knowing my status. I encourage my colleagues to be brave and take the HIV test for a better life."

Toni Pangaribuan, Vice Secretary General of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Union (KSPSI)

Due to fear of stigma and discrimination, many people are still reluctant to know their status. They are afraid that by knowing their status they would lose their jobs, their friends and they would be isolated. “We need to understand that the test is not an end but a beginning. It gives us the knowledge that we need to live positively and responsibly, with or without HIV,” said Early Dewi Nuriana, the ILO’s officer on HIV and AIDS.

She also highlighted the ILO’s HIV and AIDS Recommendation No. 200. The Recommendation states that persons with HIV related illness should not be denied the possibility to carry out their work and there should be no discrimination against workers with HIV or perceived with HIV in accessing the company benefits like other workers. Therefore, ILO encourages companies to implement HIV prevention education program and develop non-discriminatory policy at workplace.

Understanding the importance of knowing your status, Toni Pangaribuan, Vice Secretary General of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Union (KSPSI), has voluntarily tested. “I worked as a seafarer for about 18 years and visited many countries. At the beginning I feel worried to take an HIV test. Finally I did the test and the result is negative. I feel relieved knowing my status. I encourage my colleagues to be brave and take the HIV test for a better life,” he said before the participants.

The ILO recent report, “The Impact of HIV and AIDS on the World of Work: Global Estimates, projects that some 500,000 people of working age will die in 2020 from HIV-related illnesses. What’s more, most of these people are dying in their late 30s, normally the peak of their productive working life.