HIV and AIDS responses by Trade Unions Experiences from Namibia

1. HIV and AIDS responses by Trade Unions • Experiences from Namibia • Manuel Strack DED -  German Development Service Namibia • e-mail: strack.ded@iway.na

2. Our partners - the trade union federations • NUNW (National Union of Namibia Workers): largest trade union federation in Namibia representing 70.000 workers in 9 affiliated unions. • NUNW’s HIV and AIDS, Gender and Occupational Health Desk run by DED local technical advisor coordinates the unions HIV and AIDS response • Technical Support by DED Technical Advisor and Junior Advisor (NFP) • Finacial Support by DED and GTZ

3. Our partners - the trade union federations • TUCNA (Trade Union Congress of Namibia): non-political trade union federation consisting of 15 affiliated unions that represent over 40.000 members • Coordinated by DED local technical Advisor • Technical Support by DED Technical Advisor • Finacial Support by DED

4. Our partners - the employer bodies • NABCOA (Namibia Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS): business coalition which mobilises the private sector on HIV/AIDS and encourages the up scaling of workplace programs. • Technical Support by DED Technical Advisor and Local Technical Advisor • Finacial Support amongst others (e.g. GF) by DED

5. Our partners - the employer bodies • NEF (Namibia Employers Federation) The biggest Employers Organisation / representation in Namibia. Representing over 4000 employers. • The NEF Occupational Health and Saftey Desk is offering next to their traditional OHS servives also HIV / Aids & Family Wellness guidance. The Desk is run by a DED local technical Advisor • Finacial Support amongst others by DED through a PPP fund for CSR

6. Our future partner - The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare • The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare : • DED Namibia is currently negotiating a cooperation between the Ministry and DED aimed at strengthening the HIV and AIDS response of the social partners. • A DED technical advisor is to be directly placed at the ministry for this task.

7. Our Work- the sandwich approach Tripartism Promoting Advising NABCOA NEF Training Funding Advocacy and Leadership HIV and AIDS and Wellness Programs for the Namibian Labour Force Ministry of Labour Tripartism Capacitating Supporting Bargaining NUNW TUCNA Lobbying and Advocacy Protecting

8. Our Work- Selected Activities Capacity Building: Over 400 (NUNW & TUCNA) union representatives in all of Namibia’s 13 regions trained on HIV and AIDS, Gender and Health topics. Through follow-up visits it was revealed that a majority of the trained individuals share the knowledge with management, colleagues, community and family members. A number of trained individuals have started to implement HIV and AIDS activities on a regular basis at their workplaces. Training on incorporating HIV and AIDS into collective bargaining procedures planed for June and August 2010.

9. Our Work- Selected Activities Advocacy and Lobbying for the introduction of comprehensive Workplace Programs and Policies: Two campaigns have been run (Condom Awareness, Stigma and Discrimination) A number of companies and organizations have been approached so far by the trained union representatives and the project team. A tripartite agreement, is currently being drafted and about to be signed (more detail see later)

10. Our Work- Selected Activities Leadership & Institutional Development: Enhancing institutional capacity of the unions and development of the leadership potential All the NUNW affiliated Unions have been advised on policy and program development Staff training has been conducted for a number of unions NUNW and TUCNA held leadership retreats

11. Our Work- Selected Activities Leadership & Institutional Development continued: Establishment of  a Help desk pertaining to HIV and AIDS, Gender and Occupational Health for the unions’ affiliates and its members Operating under an “open-door” policy the helpdesk is developed into a resource center and is responsible for providing information, advice, technical guidance, training and supply material for union members and their families This resource centre is operational since August 2009 and is currently also coordinating the overall NUNW HIV response.

12. Our Work- Selected Activities • Tripartite Agreement: • NUNW, Ministry of Labour, and Namibia Employers Federation as convening partners agree to act jointly where possible and sharing best practices and resources as part of the national HIV and AIDS response. • The following implementing partners are also part of the MOU: •  Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Health and Social Services • Namibia Network of Aids Service Organizations(NANASO )and the Namibia NGO Forum (NANGOF) and TUCNA • NABCOA, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI )and the Chamber of Mines

13. Our Work- Selected Activities • Tripartite Agreement continued: • Attempt at accelerating, expanding, scaling up and replicating effective and comprehensive HIV and AIDS/Wellness Workplace Programs in the public and private sector • Access to affordable medical aid insurance/health care • Collective implementation of the Code on HIV and AIDS in Employment (amendment of the Labour Act). Setting standards. • Several consultations between representatives of all partners have taken place and a draft version of the agreement has been prepared. (To be signed soon) • Financial and technical support by ILO