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Role of Organised Labour in Addressing HIV and AIDS

This text discusses the role and responsibilities of organised labour in South Africa in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS, raising awareness, advocating for better treatment and benefits, and monitoring government implementation. It also highlights the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for workplace HIV and AIDS programs, challenges faced, and South Africa's progress in addressing the epidemic.

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Role of Organised Labour in Addressing HIV and AIDS

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  1. The Role of Organised Labour in Addressing HIV and AIDSINTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)on 22 January 2009 Presented by: Edna Bokaba (FEDUSA)

  2. ORGANISED LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA • Comprises FEDUSA, COSATU and NACTU • Represents all the workers in NEDLAC • All three labour federations are represented on SANAC, Provincial, Regional, Local and District AIDS Councils • Collaborate with UN Agencies, International and Local HIV and AIDS Organisations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), amongst others • Form partnerships with like-minded organisations in South Africa

  3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Help to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on workers in particular and society at large • curb the spread of the virus and protect workers from becoming infected • Raise awareness around HIV and AIDS • Sensitise, educate and train all levels of workers, from leadership to shop-stewards and officials as well • Campaign; advocate and lobby for better treatment, workplace rights, and benefits • Negotiate at NEDLAC on all issues such as a Comprehensive Treatment Plan, Social Health Insurance for all workers, Social Grants - especially for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as child support grants • Critically monitor and evaluate government’s implementation of policies and programmes

  4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011 IN WORKPLACE HIV AND AIDS PROGRAMMES: • PRIORITY AREA 1:PREVENTION OF HIV AND AIDS: • PREVENTION Programme - offered extensive workplace trainings on: • Fundamentals of HIV and AIDS • HIV, AIDS and The Law • Behaviour Change Communication • Chief Negotiators HIV and AIDS Collective Bargaining Training and • Peer Education Training

  5. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011 • VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING Adopted resolutions on: • “Know your HIV status” • Offered regional Training on VCT, and • Offered VCT Services at Training Workshop and at National Congresses

  6. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011 • PRIORITY AREA 2: TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT TREATMENT: • referrals to local treatment sites • Provide training on treatment literacy CARE AND SUPPORT: • Offer Home-based Care • Adoption of HIV and AIDS Orphanage in Orange Farm called Sibahle Children’s Home, and • Offered financial and other support on a monthly basis between 2003 and 2007

  7. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011 • PRIORITY AREA 4: - HUMAN AND LEGAL RIGHTS • Policy- Adoption of HIV and AIDS Workplace Policies • Fight against stigma and discrimination in the workplace • Lobby around issues of HIV, AIDS and related issues • Advocate for better benefits for people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS • Engage in Public hearings on HIV and AIDS • Submission of Inputs into Parliamentary Processes • Defend dismissed workers – for HIV and AIDS related cases

  8. CHALLENGES • Lack of resources to implement programmes, both human and financial • Insufficient time-off for trained officials and shop-stewards to capacitate other workers • HIV and AIDS still not prioritised • Non utilization by government of trained officials and shop stewards

  9. SOUTH AFRICA’S PROGRESS • Statistics show a stabilisation, however it is difficult to prove • In different age groups there is an increase • An increase is evident in the older age group, but • The stats show a stabilisation in the youth, especially males

  10. WAY FORWARD FOR SOUTH AFRICA • Learn how best we can improve on what we have been doing so far • Develop new strategies to deal with this virus • Learn from other countries who have had successes in curbing the spread of HIV

  11. THANK YOU

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