Indonesia to develop Strategic Programme on HIV Prevention at the Workplace 2020-2024

HIV prevention programme at the workplace Making the best use of digitalization and social media channel, greater public and trade union involvement and advocacy as well as sensitization HIV programmes for relevant ministries, local governments and enterprises were key activities proposed to be included in the national HIV/AIDS prevention programme in Indonesia. Other proposed action programmes included the revitalization of HIV working group and the tax incentive programme to attract more companies and industries in HIV prevention programme at the workplace.

On behalf of the Ministry of Manpower, I greatly appreciate the efforts given to identify key activities that should be included the next strategic HIV/AIDS prevention programme at the workplace for four years."

dr Muzakir, Head of Manpower Protection Section of the Ministry of Manpower

The activities were identified by key stakeholders from various relevant ministries, private sector, workers’ organizations, civil society organizations and UN agencies at the two-day workshop titled “Strategic Programme Development on HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Workplace 2020-2024” held in Jakarta on 20 and 22 November. The workshop was conducted by the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower as part of the effort to strengthen non-discriminatory policies and HIV prevention programme at the workplace.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Manpower, I greatly appreciate the efforts given to identify key activities that should be included the next strategic HIV/AIDS prevention programme at the workplace for four years,” said dr Muzakir, Head of Manpower Protection Section of the Ministry of Manpower.

Key stakeholders gather together to formulate HIV Strategic Programme at the Workplace for 2020-2024

Companies are focused on cost-efficient and result-oriented programmes. Therefore, a tax incentive programme can increase the participation and involvement of companies on HIV prevention programme at the workplace since the benefits of HIV programmes cannot be immediately seen."

dr Deddi Ekaputra Rangan, Occupational Health Doctor and Expert on HIV/AIDS Programme of PT Star Energy

A small team, added Muzakir, will be developed to review and select these proposed activity programmes to be included in the final strategic programme. “These selected activity programmes will be part of the working programme of the HIV Working Group for the next four years,” he stated.

From the perspective of the companies, dr Deddi Ekaputra Rangan, Occupational Health Doctor and Expert on HIV/AIDS Programme of PT Star Energy, greatly appreciated the proposed programme activities, particularly the tax incentive programme.

“Companies are focused on cost-efficient and result-oriented programmes. Therefore, a tax incentive programme can increase the participation and involvement of companies on HIV prevention programme at the workplace since the benefits of HIV programmes cannot be immediately seen,” explained dr Deddi.

Therefore, we hope that through the participatory development of the strategic programme on HIV prevention at the workplace 2020-2022 can further strengthen the national effort towards inclusive world of work and to open doors to employment for people living with HIV/AIDS."

Early Dewi Nuriana, the ILO’s officer for HIV prevention programme

He also shared his experiences in developing HIV prevention programme at PT Star Energy. “We started with a small budget of Rp. 5 juta ten years ago in 2009. When the company witnessed the positive impact of the internal HIV prevention programme and benefits gained by both workers and the management, the management began to increase the budget,” he told.

Early Dewi Nuriana, the ILO’s officer for HIV prevention programme, appreciated the active participation shown by around 40 participants, representing the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Health, trade unions, employers’ organization, enterprises, non-governmental organization and UN agencies at both national and provincial levels.

“The ILO promote the elimination of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV/AIDS has the same labour rights, just like any other workers. Therefore, we hope that through the participatory development of the strategic programme on HIV prevention at the workplace 2020-2022 can further strengthen the national effort towards inclusive world of work and to open doors to employment for people living with HIV/AIDS,” she concluded.