THE ILO and HIV/AIDS A4-00583 DIA Insa Ben Said Turin 02/09/2005

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION HIV/AIDS and the World of Work The ILO Global Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work Implementing the ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work Technical cooperation: Field activities Collaboration with other UN agencies

1. IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON LABOUR AND SOCIAL PROGRESS Effects of HIV/AIDS on labour: A mass killer affecting the most segment of the labour force, Reduces productivity and output level in all sectors, Discrimination and stigma aimed at PLWA at the workplace, Exacerbates the problem of child labour and poverty, Increases gender inequality, Overtaxes the social systems , Undermines private sector and enterprise development, Stifles economic development.

2. HIV/AIDS : A THREAT TO DECENT WORK AND ILO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Threat to the primary goal of ILO: «To provide opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity security and human dignity » Threat to ILO ‘s legitimate and essential concerns in each of the strategic objectives of the Organization: Workers' rights Employment promotion Social protection Social dialogue

3. HIV/AIDS AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AT WORK AIDS affect fundamental rights at work and in society as a whole. Discrimination on the basis of HIVAIDS worsens existing inequalities in society. AIDS-related discrimination may include screening for purposes of exclusion from work or promotion or breaches of confidentialities. The fundamental rights of non–discrimination is a core principle of the ILO which can be used to protect the rights and dignity of workers and their families from violation based on their known or presumed HIV status.

4. THE ILO RESPONSE AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES ILO promotes a right-based approach to combat the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work. The rights of non–discrimination lies at the heart of the concern of ILO for the abuse of human rights in the area of HIV/AIDS. 3. ILO’s comparative advantages: Tripartite structure Technical cooperation ILO’s global network of fields offices and MDTs Social dialogue

II. ILO GLOBAL PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS AND THE WORLD OF WORK Respond to the ILC Resolution concerning HIVAIDS and the world of work ( 88th session , June 2000) MAIN OBJECTIVES: To help member States combat the spread and threat of HIV/AIDS through workplace initiatives; cope with the social and economic consequences of the pandemic; provide protection and support to workers and their families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: To strengthen the capacity of ILO’s tripartite constituents to implement policies and programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, protect the rights of affected workers, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic on the world of work.

PRIORITY AREAS Mobilizing and strengthening the capacity of social partners to design and implement workplace policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS; Advise governments on reform of labour laws to address HIV/AIDS and on integrating the workplace component in national AIDS plan (Support to National Strategic Plan); Awareness raising and advocacy; Research into social, economic and labour impact of HIV/AIDS .

III. ILO CODE OF PRACTICE ON HIV/AIDS AND THE WORLD OF WORK Launched formally at the UNGASS, New-York, June 2001; Is a tool to implement the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment for the development and implementation of national HIV/AIDS policies at the workplace (sections 49 and 69); Promotes a rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS, and establishes principles and international guidelines for HIV/AIDS policies and programmes in the world of work; Addresses the following areas: - Prevention through information, education and training - Protection of worker's rights - Care and support for workers Has been translated into 20 languages in responses to local demand

IV. IMPLEMENTING THE ILO CODE OF PRACTICE 1. Rights at work: Fundamental Human rights- equality (gender, vulnerable groups, e.g. Migrants); Workplace policy and programme; Reform of labour legislation. 2. Capacity building: Strategic planning; OSH- labour protection-Social security; Decent work: employment objective- LM, Mobility; Database: indicators for monitoring employment and labour market implications; Sectors: transport, tourism, health, informal work.

3. Mobilizing social partners: Promote ILO Code of Practice: Tripartism- MOL’s, Employers’ and Workers' organizations Political mobilisation-leadership; public support Advocacy Consensus building Partnerships: Private sectors, NGOs, UNAIDS Cosponsors and other UN agencies.

V. TECHNICAL COOPERATION: FIELD ACTIVITIES Presentation of the ILO Code of Practice at the country level Fact-finding missions and status assessment studies; Advisory services to governments on integrating HIV/AIDS into labour legislation Projects with social partners and workplace programmes (Transport and informal sectors); Micro and small enterprise project;

V. TECHNICAL COOPERATION: FIELD ACTIVITIES (continued) Identification of best practice initiatives at the workplace; Study tour of tripartite delegations from Russia and Azerbaijan to Brazil; National tripartite workshops on HIV/AIDS and the world of work; Sub-regional workshops of employers; Training for labour inspectors…

VI. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER UN AGENCIES Cosponsor of UNAIDS Convening Agency for HIV/AIDS and the world of work; Convenor of the IATT on HIV/AIDS and the world of work; Member of the IATT on: - Country Level Response on HIV/AIDS - Gender and HIV/AIDS - Young People and HIV/AIDS - Education - HIV/AIDS Care and Support - Orphans and other Vulnerable Children - HIV/AIDS and Children in Situation of Conflict

VI. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER UN AGENCIES (continued) Joint project with UNIFEM on the Care economy, HIV/AIDS and the world of work; PAF funded projects in Madagascar, Ethiopia and South Africa.

THANK YOU