Private sectors in Papua and West Papua committed to prevent HIV at the workplaces

Ten companies in Sorong and Jayapura districts (five companies in each district) have committed to continue the implementation of HIV workplace programmes, in collaboration with local governments through community health centers. These companies are committed to delivering effective HIV prevention, counselling and testing as well as treatment support services for their workers.

These companies implement a workplace HIV policy that protects jobs and confidentiality of workers with HIV. As a result, a total of 10,000 workers of these companies have received HIV prevention information through occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes programs, of which 50 percent of them are indigenous Papuans.

We are committed as company is allowed to independently providing HIV related services. Innovative actions have been conducted to attract workers to take HIV testing and treatment voluntarily. ."

dr Wilkananta from JOB Pertamina Petrochina

These companies were part of the ILO’s Project on Mobilizing the Private Sector to Deliver HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care in High Prevalence Areas of Papua and West Papua. Started in 2014 for two years, the Project aimed to strengthen public private partnerships to deliver effective HIV prevention, counselling, testing, and treatment support services for high risk workforce, in particular indigenous Papuans working on plantations.

The initiative has helped us to reach more workers with HIV Testing and Counselling. Due to the long distance to the nearest hospital, we are now providing HIV treatment for workers living with HIV.."

dr Andreas Ari Wibowo representing PT Sinar Mas

Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Government of Australia, the ILO assisted enterprises to develop workplace policies and programmes ensuring that indigenous people have access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. Labour Offices led the activities in collaboration with companies and health offices to create linkages with village-based clinics.

“We are committed as company is allowed to independently providing HIV related services. Innovative actions have been conducted to attract workers to take HIV testing and treatment voluntarily. We conducted routine health talks and blood donors as well as gave away souvenirs,” explained dr Wilkananta from JOB Pertamina Petrochina.

Similar commitment was also raised by PT Sinar Mas in Jayapura. “The initiative has helped us to reach more workers with HIV Testing and Counselling. Due to the long distance to the nearest hospital, we are now providing HIV treatment for workers living with HIV. I hope the strong relationship between the company and the health office can be continued,” said dr Andreas Ari Wibowo representing PT Sinar Mas.

In addition, local governments have strongly supported these HIV prevention programmes, ensuring the sustainability and replication. “Under the public-private partnership, local government will attempt to replicate the HIV prevention models to other areas of intervention. We will closely collaborate with the Provincial Health Office,” stated Drs. Yan Piet Rawar, the Head of Provincial Manpower Office in Papua.

Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, highly appreciated the strong supports given by local governments of Sorong and Jayapura districts as well as other relevant stakeholders like local AIDS Commissions, Port Authority Offices, Health Port Offices, Community Health Centers, workers’ and employers’ organizations as well as private sector and their workers.

“After more than a year of implementation, the progress made are notable. With strong support and commitment not only from private sector, but also from local governments and other related stakeholders, I believe the progress made can be continued and sustained to jointly end HIV and AIDS in Papua and West Papua,” he concluded.