Youth Employment Summit Decent work as a means of HIV/AIDS prevention among young people Panel on HIV/AIDS, Health and Safety Presented by Sonia Smith ILO

Youth Employment Summit Overview Decent work and HIV/AIDS Why target young workers? Policy framework Implementation of policies using youth-led approaches

Youth Employment Summit Decent work and HIV/AIDS Productive and satisfying work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity Decent work deficits occur in four main areas and disproportionately affect young people: -Unemployment and under-employment -Discrimination -Lack of voice and representation -Absence or inadequate social protection

Youth Employment Summit Decent work deficits Decent work deficits creates vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by: (1) Increasing the risk of becoming infected; and (2) Increasing the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS

Youth Employment Summit How does HIV/AIDS affect the world of work? In a number of ways: Increases in absenteeism due to illness and berevement Loss of skilled and experienced workers Increases in labour turnover due to illness and death Increases in costs of recruitment, training and staff health Increased stress and work load on non-infected workers

Youth Employment Summit Impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work Reduces income and household savings Reduces productivity in enterprises and agriculture Discrimination and stigma against people with HIV/AIDS threatens human rights and undermines prevention and care

Youth Employment Summit Why target young workers? UNAIDS Report 2002 shows that 11.8 million young people are living with HIV/AIDS Trends indicate that young people are more susceptible to HIV/AIDS than any other group Over half all of new infections occur among young people Young women at greatest risk of infection, eg, SSA 1:6 ratio.

Youth Employment Summit Why target young workers? AIDS orphans AIDS exacerbates child labour Informal economy is hardest hit Sub-ordinate role in public and in the family hinders prevention efforts Urban/rural divide Changing population demography Developmental impact on young people Undermines human resources and social capital

Youth Employment Summit HIV/AIDS: a development challenge More than a medical or health issue It’s a development challenge A social vaccine is required A multi-sectoral response under UNAIDS ILO mobilizes workers, employers’ and workers’ organizations and other stakeholders

Youth Employment Summit ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS ILO adopted a Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS which establishes international workplace guidelines on HIV/AIDS The code was developed in consultation with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and received the support of the United Nations General Assembly on HIV/AIDS as well as corporations, labour organizations and NGOs.

Youth Employment Summit Policy framework 1. Prevention through information, education and training; 2. A rights based approach to reducing vulnerability; and 3. Comprehensive care and support

Youth Employment Summit Prevention Awareness raising to overcome denial Inter-dependence between prevention, care and support Link with other health promotion programmes dealing with drug abuse, stress and reproductive and sexual health issues for young people Existing community and workplace programmes eg. Health and safety committees or labour inspectors

Youth Employment Summit A rights based approach Code establishes non-discrimination on the basis of HIV status in the workplace and key principles These principles apply regardless of the type of work UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS Millennium Development Goals ILO codes, recommendations and conventions Rights of the Child Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against women

Youth Employment Summit Care and support More than medicines Eliminating stigma and discrimination Continuation of the employment relationship Overcoming stereotypes about young people Gender inequalities limit access

Youth Employment Summit Why is the Code a useful tool for young people? Voluntary and non-coercive Community based and participatory approach Oriented towards networking and informal methods of communication Risk management rather than penalties Flexible and adaptable to many different types of workplaces

Youth Employment Summit Why is the Code a useful tool for young people? Rights based not paternalistic Empowerment approach Peer led Promotes right to information and representation Can be used in schools, vocational colleges, universities and NGOs Tool for social entrepreneurs and activists

Youth Employment Summit Why is the Code a useful tool for young people? Makes the connection between employment, health, greater representation and rights Partnership-making rather than adversarial Gender sensitive It’s a departure point for other youth led reforms

Youth Employment Summit Implementation Presentation of the Code ILO-ICFTU Resource kit for young people Take it and own it Make it a tool for social entrepreneurs Use it to help put issues of concern for young people on the agenda of local trade unions, local councils, be aware as young business people You are invited to make it part of the YES platform for action and of your own activities

Youth Employment Summit Giving young people a voice at work The code sets out a participatory model based on local HIV/AIDS committees This approach can be used to increase the voices of young people in schools, rotary clubs, sports venues, NGOs and other places where young people work and play. Addressing HIV/AIDS prevention through decent work directly raises the issue of representation and highlights the importance of work as a medium for empowerment and social entrepreneuralism for young people.

Youth Employment Summit Thank you! Please go to the ILOAIDS website for more information, copies of the Code and other materials