THE INITIATIVE a presentation by Akua Ofori-Asumadu ITUC 2 nd Women World Conference

What is the Initiative? Launched by the ILO and UNAIDS in June 2013 at the 102 nd ILC Contributes to achieving the global target of 15 million by 2015 (2011 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS)

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES? To promote HIV testing to enable five million women and men workers,(their spouses and community members) to know their status by 2015 To facilitate access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for women and men workers, (their spouses and community members) who test positive and are eligible for ART.

Why the Initiative? Low levels of HIV testing (UNAIDS Report) –About 7.0 million people are currently eligible, but are not receiving treatment. –The majority do not know their HIV status Increased availability of treatment –HIV is no longer a death sentence –HIV treatments today are both effective and easier to take The unique contribution of the world of work –The world of work constitutes the largest population of people living with HIV globally –As the UN agency mandated to address world of work issues, the ILO’s comparative advantage is its ability to reach millions of workers in both the formal and informal economies.

Why the Initiative? A more conducive legal and policy environment that builds upon: tripartite HIV and AIDS national/sectoral workplace policies labour legislation and policy Building the capacity of labour judges, magistrates, parliamentarians, labour factory inspectors and other world of work actors Taking HIV testing IN and THROUGH the workplace –i.e. a considerable amount of HTC will still take place within healthcare settings

Where and When will the Initiative be implemented? A two-phase approach will be taken to operationalize the Initiative at the country level The first phase will be in a few countries where there is already political buy-in and expressed commitment to the initiative (Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and South Africa)

Where and When? Emphasis will be placed on UNAIDS High Impact Countriesiative ILO and its partners will undertake a global mapping exercise to identify on-going activities Every effort will be made to support VCT initiatives that the ILO‘s constituents could associate themselves with

How should the VCT tests be carried out The initiative is not a one-size-fits-all HTC conducted as part of an integrated health and wellness testing approach Stand alone Different approaches: CICT – VCT, PICT, HIV Self-Testing, Couples Testing and Multi-disease campaigns

Which principles must be adhered to? The key principles for HIV Testing are: –Consent –Confidentiality, –Counselling, –Convenience and –Connection to care

How will it be different? The Initiative is being situated within a coordinated approach comprising a number of interventions: –the Getting to Campaign –Recommendation No. 200 on HIV and AIDS –Other International Labour Standards.

Why do Trade Union need to do anything about Because: HIV exists in complex relationships with poverty, inequality, discrimination and illiteracy workers - and their families, workplaces and communities that depend on them are - bearing the brunt of the epidemic

Why do Trade Union need to do anything about The burden is on the most vulnerable people in society: women, children and the poor HIV is no longer a death sentence and PLHIV can expect to live long healthy and productive lives Early diagnosis is key and VCT is the gateway for access to treatment

Union action contains a clear message: The principles, experience, networks and mass membership of trade unions are a shared resource and a potentially powerful tool in society’s search for new fronts, bold initiatives and effective action in response to the mitigation of the impact of HIV ( Global reach: how trade unions are responding to AIDS - Case studies of union action)

Conclusion “Zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths start at work.” «Zéro nouvelle infection. Zéro discrimination. Zéro décès lié au sida. La réalisation de ce triple objectif commence sur le lieu de travail.» Sharan Burrow, General Secretary - International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

.....and YOU can make it happen THANK YOU