Results of a project on voluntary HIV testing at work

ILO tripartite constituents as well as civil society and UN agencies gathered to discuss results as well as lessons learnt in the course of implementation of the ILO pilot project on Voluntary Counseling and Testing at Work (VCT@Work) implemented jointly with UNAIDS and UNFPA in Cherkassy region of Ukraine.

Eight thousand working women and men as well as students were reached by awareness-raising on HIV in the framework of the project, while 577 men and 1,440 women, in total 2,017 people underwent HIV testing. Seven were tested positive and referred to AIDS Centre for treatment.

“This project has seen excellent synergies among UN agencies: ILO, UNAIDS and UNFPA joined their efforts in promoting VCT in Cherkassy region. It is remarkable to stress the fantastic collaboration between the trade unions and employers’ organizations, effective support from the local authorities and full engagement of the local AIDS Center and NGOs into the project.”, - said at the opening Neal Walker, UN System Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator, UNDP Representative in Ukraine.

The pilot project has been implemented within the framework of Global ILO/UNAIDS Initiative on VCT@Work launched in 2013 and targeted 6 enteprises/institutions in Cherkassy Region representing health, education as well as industrial sectors.

“The tripartite constituents have a strong convening power and can reach millions of workers in both the formal and informal economies and generate demand for and enhance access to HIV testing for millions of women and men workers”, - said Brigitte Zug Castillo, Senior Adviser to the Director, ILOAIDS, Geneva.

“I believe that the results of the ILO project on VCT@Work for working people should be replicated in other regions of Ukraine. I suggest that VCT@Work should be conducted for employees of the Ministry to serve as a good example for other civil servants,“ said Victor Ivankevych, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

The main project partners in Cherkassy region included Federation of Trade Unions of Cherkassy Region, Regional AIDS Centre and Cherkassy Regional Branch of the All-Ukrainian Network of PLHIV.

“Trade unions are protecting workers’ rights therefore it is crucial for them to get involved in HIV response at workplace since it’s about safeguarding labour potential of Ukraine” emphasized Petro Shevchenko, Head of Cherkassy Regional Federation of Trade Unions.

The conference was concluded with validation of recommendations aimed at further promotion of VCT@Work in other regions/sectors of Ukraine.