HEALTH & HIV/AIDS

1. Trade Union Training on the Validation of the training manual entitled “Union Training on Occupational Safety and Health” HEALTH & HIV/AIDS

2. Basic Realities About HIV/AIDS Pandemic • In 2009, about 33.3 million people were living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. • Nearly 1.8 million people died in 2009 as a result of AIDS-related illnesses. • Also, in 2009, another 2.6 million people were infected with the HIV virus. • Two-thirds of people living with HIV/AIDS and ¾ of deaths from HIV/AIDS are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Continues People with AIDS don’t suffer alone – the disease also attacks their families and communities. For instance, 14.8 million African children have already lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The disease targets people during their most productive years, thereby making economic progress in many Sub-Saharan African countries even more of a challenge. The transmission of the HIV virus takes place mainly along «social lines» created by poverty, inequality and social injustice.

4. Continues • Since 1999, globally, the number of new HIV infections has fallen by 19%. • Of the estimated 15 million people living with HIV in low-and-middle-income countries who need treatment today, 5.2 million have access. • In 2009 alone, 1.2 million people received HIV antiretroviral therapy for the first time. • In 33 countries, HIV incidence fell by more than 25% between 2001 and 2009. Of these countries, 22 are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

5. Continues • The biggest epidemics in Sub-Saharan Africa – Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – have either stabilized or are showing signs of decline. • Global Fund & PEPFAR initiatives have made treatment, prevention and care available to millions of people in the world’s poorest countries. • Nearly 4 million Africans are receiving lifesaving ARV treatment (up from 50,000 in 2002).

6. Continues 1 million pregnant women with HIV received medicine to prevent passing the virus unto their babies (up from only 150,000 women in 2004). BUT HIV infection rates are still far outpacing the number of people put on treatment. Every day, 4,900 people die from HIV/AIDS and another 7,100 people are infected with AIDS virus.

7. Continues 90% of people with HIV are living in circumstances of economic and social hardship. The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS is both social and occupational. The gravity of the pandemic is linked directly to social and gender inequality, including especially the disempowerment of women, young people, migrant workers, informal economy workers, the unemployed and refugees. Access to needed services to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains low overall and uneven around the world.

8. ILO HIV and AIDS Recommendation 200 (2010) The fight against HIV/AIDS is part of the national prevention programme & union strategy to improve working conditions. The ILO HIV & AIDS R.200 (2010) & ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS & the world of work are key reference instruments for developing national policies & programmes of prevention and coherent union action.

9. The Relevant Issues of R.200 Discrimination and promotion of equality of opportunities and treatment: -Ensure respect for Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms - Ensure gender equality and empowerment of women - Prevent & prohibit violence & harassment in the workplace - Ensure participation of both women & men in the response to HIV/AIDS - Involve & empower all workers irrespective of sex and sexual orientation - Protect sexual and reproductive health as well as sexual and reproductive rights - Ensure confidentiality of personal data, including medical data

10. The Relevant Issues of R200 Prevention - Accurate, up-to-date, relevant & timely information - Comprehensive education & training programme on HIV/AIDS - Effective occupational safety and health measures - VCT for workers to know their HIV status - Access to all measures of prevention - Effective measures to reduce high-risk behaviours - Harm reduction strategies Treatment and care - National HIV/AIDS policies & programmes determined through tripartite consultation - Treatment, care & support for workers living HIV/AIDS & their dependants - Entitlement to health care services - Non discrimination against workers & their dependants based on real or perceived HIV status

11. ILO HIV and AIDS Recommendation 200 (2010) Testing, privacy & confidentiality: - Testing must be voluntary & free of any coercion and must respect international guidelines on confidentiality, counselling and consent. - HIV/AIDS screening should not be required of workers - Results of HIV testing should confidential - No disclosure of HIV-related information - No exclusion of migrant workers due real or perceived HIV status - Accessible dispute resolution procedures Occupational Safety and Health - Safe and healthy working environment

12. ILO HIV and AIDS Recommendation 200 (2010) - Safety and health measures to prevent workers’ exposure to HIV at work. - Education & training on modes of transmission & measures to prevent exposure & infection. - Awareness-raising measures should emphasized that HIV is not transmitted by casual physical contact and the presence of a person living with HIV should not be considered a workplace hazard. - Occupational Health Services and workplace mechanism related to OSH should address HIV and AIDS.

14. Any Questions?