Trade Union Training on Occupational Safety and Health and HIV and AIDS HIV and AIDS: An Overview of the Epidemic, Relevance of Action in the World of Work

Structure of the Presentation The HIV epidemic No one spared Intervention is paying-off But remember that… The battle can be won Unions have a comparative advantage The workplace has a comparative advantage The fight must continue What are the next steps? Success is when…

The HIV Epidemic In the last 30 years, HIV has rapidly become the most devastating epidemic, taking the lives of 30 million people around the world. In 2011 alone, HIV and AIDS killed 1.7 million people. Also, in 2011, about 34.2 million people were living with HIV and 2.5 million people became newly infected with HIV. The HIV epidemic has been viewed as a strongly gendered health, development and human resource issue. The proportion of women living with HIV has remained stable at 50% globally, although women are more affected in SSA (59% of all people living with HIV) and in the Caribbean (53%).

Continues… In 2010, about 68% of all people living with HIV resided in SSA, a region with only 12% of the global population. Approximately 70% of new HIV infections occurred in SSA in 2010. Southern Africa countries continue to show exceptionally high levels of HIV incidence and prevalence. South Africa has more people living with HIV (an estimated 5.6 million) than any other country in the world. Almost ½ of the deaths from AIDS-related illnesses in 1210 occurred in Sothern Africa & AIDS has claimed at least 1 million lives annually in SSA since 1995.

No One is Spared… People with AIDS don’t suffer alone – the disease also attacks their families and communities. For instance, 14.8 million African children have already lost one or both parents to HIV & AIDS. The disease targets people during their most productive years – this has made economic progress in many SSA countries even more of a challenge.

Intervention is Paying-off A total of 2.5 million deaths have been averted in low-and-middle-income countries since 1995 due to ARV therapy being introduced. There were 2.5 million new HIV infection in 2011 – 100,000 fewer than the 2.6 million new infections in 2010. HIV incidence has fallen in 33 countries, 22 of them in SSA, the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic. The biggest epidemics in Sub-Saharan Africa – Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – have either stabilized or are showing signs of decline. World leaders recommitted to the fight against AIDS in 2011 by agreeing to work towards achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2015.

Continues… The total number of new HIV infections in SSA has dropped by more than 26%, down to 1.9 million from the estimated 2.6 million at the height of the epidemic in 1997. Since 2009, new infections in children have fallen by an estimated 24% - some 300,000 children were newly infect in 2011, almost half than at the peak of the epidemic in 2003 (570,000). Global Fund & PEPFAR initiatives have made treatment, prevention and care available to millions of people in the world’s poorest countries.

Continues… 8 million people including nearly 4 million Africans had access to ARVs in 2011. 1 million pregnant women with HIV received medicine to prevent passing the virus unto their babies (up from only 150,000 women in 2004). New HIV infections have fallen by nearly 20% in the last 10 years worldwide.

But Remember that… HIV infection rates are still far outpacing the number of people put on treatment. Every day, 4,900 people die from HIV & AIDS and another 7,100 people are infected with AIDS virus. Some 4.9 million young people were living with HIV, 75% of them live in SSA. Globally, young women between 15 and 24 years of age remain the most vulnerable to HIV.

Continues… As estimated 1.2 million women and girls were infected with HIV in 2011. Access to needed services to tackle the HIV & AIDS pandemic remains low overall and uneven around the world. Africa is home to two-thirds of those requiring ARV treatment, but only 3% of the global heath care workers to provide it.

The Battle Can be Won… Trade Unions can Win this battle: By organising workers and representing their interests, protecting their rights and combating HIV & AIDS discrimination and stigmatization. Ensuring safe and healthy working environment for all. Promoting access for all workers to decent jobs, fair income, social insurance, basic health care and ARVs to those in need. Participating in social dialogue on national issues affecting employment, the labour market and human resources.

Unions Have a Comparative Advantage Nationally & internationally, trade unions are able to mobilize extensive networks. Negotiate workplace agreements/policies with employers, as well as help with implementation. Ultilize their competency in education and training. Build upon their influence with governments and in the community. Promote and defend the rights of workers.

The Workplace Has a Comparative Advantage The workplace is one of the most important and effective settings for responding to the AIDS epidemic: - It is where working people gather on a regular basis; - Communications systems are in place for enterprise and public information; - Existing structures and facilities can be used for prevention, care and support; - Workers share information about HIV and AIDS with their families.

The Fight Must Continue Unabated… Trade Unions must continue to take action in the following areas: Protecting the rights and dignity of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. HIV prevention Treatment, care and support Understanding and managing the impact of HIV and AIDS. Advocacy and partnerships Policy development and training

What are the next steps? Every workplace needs an AIDS policy and programme informed by the essential components of the ILO R.200: - Discrimination & promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment; - Prevention; - Treatment and care; - Support; - Testing, privacy and confidentiality; - Occupational safety and health; - Children and young persons; - Implementation; - Social dialogue; - Education, training, information and consultation Trade unions must join their efforts with others striving to reach the zero goal in terms of ‘zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero tolerance for gender-based violence. Trade unions must remain committed to the delivery of HIV and AIDS education & training to workers on a sustainable basis.

Success is when… Companies take responsibility for acting on HIV and AIDS, in collaboration with workers’ representatives. There is a “zero tolerance” policy for discrimination in the workplace. Clear and concise HIV and AIDS information is regularly provided in the workplace to all employees. Practical measures to support prevention include information on the treatment of sexually transmitted infections and access to condoms. ‘Know Your Status’ campaign encourage voluntary counselling and testing

The End! Any Questions?