HIV / AIDS THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CODE OF PRACTICE ON HIV / AIDS AND THE WORLD OF WORK

We are in Good Company

HIV/AIDS affects us all We all need to be aware IN TIME Our Friends Our Colleagues ALL THE TIME Our Families Ourselves

HIV/AIDS What exactly is this disease? Human Immunodeficiency Virus The virus weakens the body’s immune system. After infection, a person develops antibodies. These are an attempt by the immune system to resist attack by the virus. If a person is tested for HIV and these antibodies are found, he or she is sometimes called HIV positive or simply HIV+.

HIV /AIDS So What is AIDS? Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Because HIV weakens the body’s immune system, a person becomes vulnerable to a range of opportunistic infections, which the body could normally fight off. It is one of these infections which will ultimately cause death, some years after infection.

HIV / AIDS How is it transmitted? Sexual intercourse - 70/80% Blood Transfusion - 3/5 % Mother to Child transmission -5/10% Injecting drug use - 5/10% Health Care (needle stick injuries) - <0.01%

HIV / AIDS How it is NOT transmitted. Kissing, hugging, shaking hands Mosquito or insect bites Coughing and sneezing Sharing toilets or washing facilities Using utensils or consuming food and drink handled by someone who has HIV. There is no recorded instance of the virus being transmitted through First Aid procedures.

HIV/AIDS A Global Disaster In the twenty years since it appeared, HIV/AIDS has killed more people than the bubonic plague of the fourteenth century, or the influenza epidemic following the 1914-1918 war. There is no cure. Present treatments are expensive and unavailable to the vast majority of victims. Millions more will die.

HIV/AIDS – THE EPIDEMIC At the end of 2001, estimated 40 million people living with AIDS. Just under half are women and 8% children In 2001 HIV/AIDS caused 3 million deaths. 5 million new cases were reported.

HIV/AIDS Global and Regional Trends Total no. of People living with HIV/AIDS People newly infected during 2001 Deaths due to HIV/AIDS in 2001 Sub-Saharan Africa 28,500,000 3,500,000 2,200,000 Asia & Pacific 6,600,000 1,070,000 435,000 Americas & Caribbean 2,870,000 235,000 115,000 Europe & Central Asia 1,550,000 280,000 31,000 North Africa & Middle East 500,000 80,000 30,000 Australia & New Zealand 15,000 500 <100

HIV/AIDS Wider effects in the world of work Reduced supply of Labour Loss of skilled and experienced workers Absenteeism and early retirement Stigmatization and discrimination against workers with HIV Increased labour costs for employers from health insurance to retraining Reduced productivity, contracting tax base and negative impact on economic growth A threat to food security as rural workers are increasingly affected

HIV/AIDS Wider effects in the world of work Falling demand, investment discouraged and enterprise development undermined Social protection systems and health services under pressure Increased burden on women to combine care and productive work Loss of family income and household productivity, exacerbating poverty Orphans and other affected children forced out of school and into child labour Pressure on women and young people to survive by providing sexual services

The United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS In a special Session held in June 2001, five priorities made clear: 1.To ensure that people everywhere, particularly the young, know what to do to avoid infection. 2.To stop the most tragic form of infection –from mother to child. 3.To provide treatment for all those infected. 4.To redouble the search for a vaccine as a cure. 5.To care for all those whose lives have been affected by AIDS, particularly more than 13 million orphans.

THE ILO CODE OF PRACTICE This code establishes both the rights and responsibilities of the tripartite partners as well as key principles of workplace policy: Prevention through education, gender-aware programmes and practical support for behaviour change. Protection of workers’ rights including employment protection, gender equality, entitlement to benefits and non discrimination. Care and support, including confidential voluntary counseling and testing, as well as treatment in settings where local health systems are inadequate.

The ILO’s 10 key principles for developing policies Recognition of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue. Non-discrimination. Gender Equality Healthy work environment. Social Dialogue No screening for purposes of exclusion from employment or work processes. Confidentiality Continuation of employment relationship Prevention Care and Support.

THE ILO CODE OF PRACTICE The ILO states that the workplace (world of work) is a vitally important arena in which to raise awareness and effectiveness in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and the required responses to the effect of the disease.

Why have a workplace policy on HIV/AIDS? A workplace policy provides the framework for enterprise action to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and manage its impact. The policy should:- Provide a clear statement about non-discrimination Ensure consistency with appropriate national laws Lay down standard of behaviour for all employees (whether infected or not) Give guidance to supervisors and managers Help employees living with HIV/AIDS to understand what support and care they will receive, so that they are more likely to come forward for voluntary testing Help to stop the spread of the virus through prevention programmes Assist an enterprise in planning for HIV/AIDS and managing its impact, thus ultimately saving money

HIV/AIDS Why make it a workplace issue? Firstly: HIV/Aids has a huge impact on the world of work –reducing the supply of labour and available skills, increasing labour costs, reducing productivity, threatening the livelihoods of workers and employers and undermining rights.

HIV/AIDS Why make it a workplace issue? Secondly: The workplace is a good place to tackle HIV/AIDS. Standards are set for working conditions and labour relations. Workplaces are communities where people come together and they discuss, debate and learn from each other. This provides an opportunity for awareness raising, education programmes and the protection of rights.

HIV/AIDS Why make it a workplace issue? Thirdly Employers and trade unions are leaders in their communities and countries. Leadership is crucial to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

What is Saybolt’s connection to the ILO code of practice and the world of work? In June 2001, Juan Somavia – Director General of the ILO presented the above Code of Practice to the UN General Assembly. The Code of Practice was subsequently adopted by the UN Secretary General as a framework for its own personnel policy. Saybolt views compliance with the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS as an integral part of the commitments regarding the United Nations Global Compact.

What is Saybolt expected to do? Formulate a progressive Company charter with specific policies based on the Code of Practice including strategies and safeguards on: Education and awareness Screening and Discrimination Confidentiality Facilities Security

What more? Construct and apply forums to increase awareness and active participation of staff by suitable methods such as: Workshops Group Discussion Professional Addresses Inclusion in existing agendas Periodically evaluate the progress and effect of the above.

Why a trainings manual? The manual is a training instrument which emphasizes practical activities and guidelines to help our constituents and other users apply the Code to national strategic plans and to develop targeted and effective workplace policies and programmes. It is also a source of information on HIV/AIDS from the perspective of the world of work. The manual is designed to be a living document. It is possible to modify activities and add modules or special guidelines for specific sectors and groups, for particular countries or local situations. The manual is not designed to be read like a novel, from cover to cover. Consider it more as a menu: pick out the parts that interest you!

What are the main aims of the trainings manual? To encourage Directors, Managers and Staff to “open” the subject of HIV/AIDS in the workplace in order to: Increase the awareness of the problem Educate employees in the avoidance of risk Dispel erroneous myths regarding the spread of the disease Eradicate all forms of discrimination resulting from the disease Provide security measures for those affected

What is in the ILO Manual? The manual consists of eight modules under the following headings: HIV/AIDS: the epidemic and its impact on the world of work HIV/AIDS and human rights Workplace action through social dialogue: the role of employers workers and their organisations A legal and policy frame work on HIV/AIDS in the world of work: role of government The gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS and the world of work Workplace programmes for HIV/AIDS prevention Care and Support HIV/AIDS and the informal economy

What is in the ILO Manual? Each Module contains: Presentation of the issues Learning Activities (group work, role play etc) Case Studies Extracts showing examples of legislation, policies and collective agreements References

What is the key to effective participation OPEN the subject of HIV/AIDS for discussion in the workplace

A way forward. Overcome the sensitivities of the subject caused by sex, religion and culture and OPEN the subject in the workplace. In discussion lies awareness In awareness lies understanding In understanding lies prevention Prevention is the only known cure

Do not allow this to be THE END