ILO partners with IOM, workers organizations and Government to execute VCT@work initiative in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam (ILO NEWS) the ILO in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM), Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) and the Ministry of Health, Tanzania conducted HIV Testing and counselling and TB Screening event in the mining areas of Chunya district, Mbeya region, from 3 to 5 April 2017. The services were targeted at reaching workers from the small scale mining sites and the surrounding communities within the district. During the excercise more than 15,000 miners and the surrounding community in Chunya district were sensitized on early testing and among them about 560 accessed Voluntary HIV testing and Counselling and TB Screening. Those who tested positive received referrals.

The services are being undertaken as part of the activities to mark the World Day for Safety and Health on 28 April 2017 and May Day both to be marked at national level in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The services will also be conducted in the transport corridors and Industries in the Coast, Kilimanjaro and Singida regions targeting about 3,000 workers from both formal and informal sectors.

According to Ms. Getrude Sima, a National Project Coordinator (HIV/AIDS), based at the ILO CO Dar es Salaam, the Initiative builds upon the Getting to Zero at Work campaign which aims to reduce stigma and discrimination at the workplace.

“…This timely initiative is implemented in conditions of consent, confidentiality, convenience and connection to care, in conformity with ILO’s labour standards, and contributes towards 90-90-90 targets so as to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030…” Sima said.

Tanzania is among the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa which are highly affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. According to Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey (THMIS) 2012, the country had a prevalence of 5.1% with women at 6.2% and men at 3.8%, for ages between 15 and 49 years. THMIS also indicates that HIV testing and counselling has increased tremendously with 62% of women and 47% of men aged 15-49 tested and received their results.

Stigma and Discrimination at the workplaces continue to violet human rights including rights at work and access to care and treatment services. The ILO study on manifestation, magnitude and impact of HIV - related stigma and discrimination at selected public and private workplaces indicates that 13% of workers interviewed in Tanzania Mainland held one or more stigmatizing attitudes towards workers who are HIV positive or suspected to be PLHIV.

The ILO Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, No. 200 directs that, workers, their families, and dependents should have access to and benefit from prevention, treatment, care and support in relation to HIV and AIDS, and the workplace should play a key role in facilitating access to these services.

In response against HIV and AIDS in the workplace, the ILO has been working in collaboration with the Government, employers, workers organizations and other stakeholders to scale up response in interventions against HIV and AIDS in Tanzania. This is done through assisting them to formulate workplace policies as a means of sustainable response in respect of the scourge.