Fighting HIV at work
Millions of people affected with HIV continue to face stigma and discrimination at work with far-reaching social and economic consequences. ILO’s latest report HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, says that there is an urgent need to coordinate responses across diverse sectors to combat the epidemic.
HIV is having a devastating effect on the world of work. A majority of the 33.2 million people worldwide now living with HIV are still working and in their most productive years, with skills and experience their families, workplace and country can ill afford to lose.
However, despite major advances in attitudes and knowledge about AIDS, many workers still face discrimination, stigma and fear of losing their job.
- ILO HIV/AIDS Programme / Photo credit: ILO
A new report by International Labour Organization (ILO), HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, lays the groundwork for discussion at the 2009 and 2010 International Labour Conferences.
It is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive overview of action taken by national governments and international organisations on HIV/AIDS, with specific reference to the world of work, and reveals that many countries have taken significant steps to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the work of work.
The report finds that more than 70 ILO Member States have, or are in the process of adopting, a general law on HIV/AIDS, while 30 countries have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, specific workplace rules. Other countries deal with HIV/AIDS under either equal opportunities or public health legislation, and some have integrated HIV/AIDS into labour legislation.
Occupational health services have a long tradition of promoting safety and health. Workplaces are communities where people meet, discuss, debate and learn from one another. This provides an opportunity for awareness raising, education and the protection of rights.
The ILO is concerned by the epidemic because HIV/AIDS is an obstacle to reducing poverty, to achieving sustainable development and to implementing the Decent Work Agenda.
Noting that 169 of its 181 Member States have adopted a national policy or strategy concerning HIV/AIDS, the International Labour Office (ILO) is launching a process to adopt a new international labour standard aimed at bolstering the role of the workplace in the global response to the pandemic.
A labour standard in the form of a Recommendation would reinforce and extend the impact of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work adopted in 2001, with its focus on the protection and promotion of rights.
The report has been sent to ILO Member States for their consideration and response. A second report will then be produced based on their responses, with conclusions for discussion at the 2009 Conference, and sent out in February 2009.
