1. HIV & AIDS and the world of work:
An overview of the epidemic and relevance of action in the world of work
S. Mohammad Afsar
Senior Technical Specialist
ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS)

2. An estimated 34 million people living with HIV, globally in 2011.
An overview of the epidemic
Source: UNAIDS, fact sheet, World AIDS Day 2012
An estimated 34 million people living with HIV, globally in 2011.
2.5 million became newly infected in 2011.
1.7 million died from AIDS related illnesses.
More than 8 million have access to antiretroviral treatment in 2011.

4. And yet…

5. And yet…
Stigma and discrimination still persists.
Link between HIV response and employment is not fully appreciated.

6. Why take action at the workplace?
1. A place where people spend most of their time
2. Can expand HIV prevention services
3. Can increase the demand for voluntary counselling, testing and treatment
6. Can Offer opportunity to empower women and men to make informed choices
4. Can create a conducive environment to protects rights at work
5. Can take the response beyond health systems, leads to PPP

7. HIV and AIDS and the ILO
Lead UN agency for workplace action and private sector mobilization.
Cosponsor of UNAIDS.
Integration of HIV and AIDS in ILO’s Decent Work agenda.
Setting Policy guidelines & standards.
Technical assistance to the ILO constituents/partners 8

8. ILO/AIDS: Three strategic areas of focus
1. Investing in Research
Generating new evidence to inform programmes
Know your rights – know your response – know your workplace
2. Focussing on where the needs are
Key populations
High impact countries
Vulnerable workers in key economic sectors
3. Synergies for sustainable results
Health systems: TB & HIV Programs; Health workers programs, OSH
Development sectors: Human rights, Employment, Social protection, Gender, Law compliance
UNAIDS Strategy Goals
2011 Political Declaration
MDG 6

9. Framing the ILO response
1. Strengthening legal frameworks
Working with National and Sectoral Institutions
2. Ensure development of non-discriminatory policies
3. Strengthen capacities of constituents/partners
4. Facilitate strategic partnerships between different world of work actors
5. Integrate world of work response in the national AIDS strategies/plans

10. Framing the ILO response
Workplace programmes targeting prevention & non discrimination
Increasing ACCESS to HIV Prevention & Treatment services
Referrals systems for VCT, Treatment, etc
The WORKPLACE
Enhance inclusion of PLHIV in social protection policies and programmes
Increasing ACCESS to Empowerment opportunities and social protection
Enhance skills and Work through cooperatives/micro-finance institutions to expand livelihood support options for vulnerable populations

11. ILO instruments on HIV and AIDS
An ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and World of Work (2001).
Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200) – the first International Labour Standard on HIV & AIDS and the World of Work.

12. THANK YOU ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS)