HIV/AIDS at the Workplace
HIV/AIDS at the Workplace: Awareness Program & Guidelines
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a global crisis affecting all levels of society. Increasingly affected is the business world, which is suffering not only from the human cost to the workforce but also in terms of losses in profits and productivity that result in many new challenges for both employers and employees.
By bringing enterprises together on this crucial issue, BCF/ILO are trying to build a business consortium in fight against HIVAIDS at the workplace. A training programme for companies was launched with an initial Master Trainers' Training Programme, conducted with technical assistance from the ILO Project on 28th - 29th January 2004. In line with this effort a workshop was conducted by BCF- ILO on the need to have effective HIV/AIDS awareness programme and policy guidelines at the workplace. The workshop was organised on 25th February 2005 at BCF office, New Delhi.
The workshop saw an interesting mix of participants spanning across corporates, SMEs, NGOs and academicians. Ms. Amita Joseph, Director, BCF extended a warm welcome all participants and introduced the resource persons Ms. Anandi Yuvraj from HIV/AIDS Alliance and Ms Divya/ Mr Ravi from ILO.
Starting the session, ILO highlighted the significance of the issue through a short film. The film focussed on eye-opening statistics with reference to the magnitude of HIV/AIDS and its implications to the workplace. It highlighted on the need for PLWHA (People Living With HIV/AIDS) to work and a non-discriminatory environment for them.
The film was followed by a presentation by Ms. Anandi Yuvraj who herself is infected with the HIV virus. She focused on the need for a care and support program for PLWHAs at the workplace. Highlighting on her personal experience she emphasized that she has been living with the HIV virus for past 7 years but her HIV status does not affect her work performance at all. There are certain precautions and lifestyle changes that a person infected with the virus need to follow like safe drinking water, safe food etc.
In her presentation, Ms. Anandi focused on need/ objectives of a HIV policy at workplace and the components of a good policy. She asserted on some of the components of a HIV policy at workplace, they being:
- Criteria of recruitment
- HIV prevention
- Voluntary disclosure of HIV status
- HIV screening
- Duty travel and Vaccination
- Information and training
- Stigma and discrimination
- Termination of employment
Next, a presentation was made by Ms Divya and Mr Ravi from ILO. The presentation focused on the following:
- HIV/AIDS and its difference from other diseases.
- HIV global statistics
- India statistics
- HIV/ AIDS as a workplace issue
- HIV/AIDS as a worker's issue
- Industry response to HIV/AIDS
- ILO's enterprise based approach
1.
Master's trainers training program
2.
Peer educator's training manual
3.
Assistance in HIV policy formulation
4.
Coverage of 55 enterprises across three states
- Developing effective HIV/AIDS response at workplace and its integration into CSR.
- HIV policy components.
The presentations were followed by an interactive session with the participants. Ms Amita Joseph thanked the resource persons and participants for their receptiveness to the workshop.
