Ajama Kalacha gets ready to plough his field. His community’s support has made it easier for him to cope with HIV Credit: ILO

Ajama Kalacha works hard on his small agricultural plot in Ethiopia’s highlands to provide an income for the extended family he supports. Even though life is tough, Ajama is an optimist - his community treats him well and he believes his prospects for making a living from the land are good. But he was not always so confident.

Seven years ago, Ajama discovered that he had become infected with HIV. At the time stigma and discrimination were widespread in his community and the diagnosis led him to despair. Today Ajama is taking antiretroviral treatment and his health is stable. He has told everyone about his HIV status, and his children and extended family have not been excluded from school or community life as he had once feared.

“My message to others is that living positively with HIV helps you to work harder and leads to a new lifestyle,” he says. “The care and support that I have received has made it much easier for me to cope with my illness.”

This dramatic change in Ajama’s attitude and circumstances came about in 2004 when his agricultural cooperative society in West Oromia State became part of a wider programme to reduce the negative effects of HIV. Funded by the Italian government in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the programme works through the Oromia region agricultural cooperative unions that have members in over 200 agricultural primary societies and 14 transport associations.

To ensure that interventions were at the right level, staff carried out an initial study of HIV knowledge and attitudes, which revealed many misunderstandings. For instance, 51 per cent of those interviewed thought HIV could be transmitted by mosquito bites, 17 per cent by sharing a toilet and 6 per cent by working with an HIV-positive person.

The programme has strong support from government and the national cooperative leadership. It works through a range of training approaches, firstly raising awareness of HIV among leaders and then, through specific workshops, training a network of master trainers and peer educators. They in turn roll out the programme at community level, helping to challenge discrimination, change behaviour which may risk exposure to HIV, and set up care and support services for members and their families.

Easily identified by their bags and T-shirts that both bear the slogan, ‘HIV does not discriminate, but people do,’ the peer educators work with the whole community visiting homes, speaking at local gatherings and involving key individuals such as religious leaders. They use an HIV manual and distribute popular information materials that have been translated into the local languages of Afaan Oromo and Amharic. They also help to provide care and support services including treatment.

In Ajama’s cooperative, misunderstandings about HIV, together with the stigma and discrimination directed against those affected, have gradually reduced as a result of this steady work. The positive environment and encouragement he has received gave Ajama the courage to speak out about his status and to have hope for the future.

“I set my mind to starting a new life,” he says. “The care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS has helped greatly to reduce its impact on our lives.”

Workplace leaders pledge action at ICASA 2008
Credit: ILO

On the occasion of the 15th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), about fifty workplace leaders gathered together on 4 December at the invitation of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Earlier in the week, the delegates had visited the Workplace Leaders Pledge Centre and committed themselves to implementing specific initiatives to address HIV in their own workplaces once they return home from the conference.

The ILO recorded the workplace pledges of the participants and invited them to join Mr. Mamadou Sow, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour of Senegal, Mr. Assane Diop, the ILO Executive director for Social Protection, Mr. Patrick Obath and Mr. Lamine Fall representing respectively the employers and workers organizations as well as Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work for the group photo.

“Many ICASA delegates are HIV experts in various fields and probably spoke about HIV/AIDS in a number of forums. However, some might not have thought of taking HIV activities into their own workplace,” explained Dr. Kisting.

Each participant who made a pledge received a gift as a reminder of his or her commitment. The ILO ‘Workplace Leaders Pledge Centre’ will welcome participants until the end of the Conference. It is situated at the ILO stand in the exhibition area next to the UNAIDS stand with other co-sponsors.

Ms. Evelyn Serima, ILO HIV/AIDS Technical Specialist with the ILO Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa, explained that the pledges received demonstrate the commitment of employers and workers to contribute to a more sustained response to HIV/AIDS through workplace leadership.

UNAIDS and ILO Joint Satellite Session, 3 December 2008
Credit: UNAIDS

A consensus is emerging at ICASA that in countries across Africa the private sector needs to work more closely together in order to be successful in responding to AIDS.

According to Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO-AIDS speaking at a UNAIDS ILO session yesterday, "The different private sector actors—companies, small and medium enterprises, informal sector—have to work together towards delivering a coherent and comprehensive private sector response to AIDS. We owe that much to those who are affected by the epidemic."

The joint Satellite Session entitled “working towards a comprehensive private sector response at the national level.” It was an opportunity for participants shared what’s working and what needs to be improved in their countries.

Strengthening partnerships across the private sector, reaching out to the surrounding community as well as mobilizing financial and technical resources for HIV were the issues addressed by the delegates.

For this discussion members of the Ghana Business Coalition on AIDS, Federation of Kenyan Employers, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions, Rio Tinto, Standard Bank Africa joined representatives from the International Organization of Employers, ILO, Fondation Sogebank, World Bank, UNAIDS Technical Support Facilities, Partners Against AIDS, GTZ, and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Strengthening partnerships, reaching out to the community

Aldiouma Cissokho addresses the event
Credit: UNAIDS

In Zimbabwe where the Employers’ Confederation, the National Business Coalition and others have created a national forum on the private sector to ensure one voice of the private sector at the Global Fund Coordinating Country Mechanisms.

Another challenge expressed was that have strong leadership. Mr Patrick Obath, Chairman of the Federation of Kenyan Employers, shared their efforts to encourage CEOs to get tested for HIV as a way of generating more support for voluntary testing and counselling within their own companies.

Rio Tinto’s Health Director Mr. Bruno Buclez presented the partnership agreement they have signed with the Government of Cameroon whereby the government is supplying free drugs and the company is making its health facilities available to its employees and to the community. One of the concerns raised about such Public Private Partnerships is their sustainability. This is something Rio Tinto is assessing at the moment. For example, the company is trying to ensure that employees living with HIV who retire from the company continue to receive HIV treatment.

Mr. Tony VanderNest, Senior Health and Wellness, Standard Bank Africa, South Africa explained that his company supports national business coalitions and the Pan African Business Coalition (through notably personnel secondment) because these coalitions are the best vehicle to share experiences among companies.

Mobilizing financial and technical resources for HIV and AIDS.

Ms. Thérèse Lethu, Director from the GBC Europe showcased how the coalition is encouraging sectoral initiatives such as in the tourism and mining industries to optimize the impact of the private sector on the national systems is the primary goal of the GBC.

All participants also agreed that the role of small and medium enterprises should be enhanced. As Erick Maville, Technical Director, GBC Europe explained, "While progress has been made to enhance the contributions of the private sector to the response to AIDS, there is still a lot to do to enhance the participation of small and medium enterprises and the informal sector."

(from right) Mr Geoff Manthey (Regional Programme Advisor); Mr Robert Sutherland (UN+ representative); Ms Heyzer (Executive Secretary, ESCAP) and Mr Prasada Rao (UNAIDS Regional Support Team Director) at the World AIDS Day launch. United Nations Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. 1 December 2008Credit: UNAIDS

Marking World AIDS Day, UN staff from the Asia Pacific region launched a “UN Cares” regional programme yesterday in Bangkok.

Robert Sutherland, representative of UN Plus in Asia and the Pacific, delivered a speech at the launch in which he acknowledged his appreciation of the leadership of UN agencies in delivering on AIDS, and appealed for even more support for creating an environment free of stigma and discrimination within UN.

After the lighting of two red candles – which according to Asian tradition marks a beginning – the UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary ESCAP, Ms. Noeleen Heyzer delivered her address. She stressed the role of a coordinated “one UN” to ensure that the UN Secretary-General’s commitment to UN Cares is realized in the region. She said, “This year’s World AIDS Day theme ‘Lead, Empower, Deliver’ allows us to reflect on our roles as UN leaders. With this theme, let us pledge to contribute to our own staff welfare when it comes to HIV and AIDS by ensuring time and support needed to meet a specific set of ten minimum standards of UN Cares by the end of 2011.”

On the occasion, the UN Cares Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator, Dr Lazeena Muna-McQuay was introduced. Dr Muna-McQuay is jointly hosted by UNFPA, ESCAP and UNAIDS RST.

Two UN Cares videos were screened during the programme including the speech of Secretary-General during the official launch of global UN Cares programme and the “voices of support from the field”.

The launch closed with a commitment, as iterated by the Secretary-General, to make UN Cares ten Minimum Standards achieved by all UN agencies by the year 2011.

UN Cares

The UN Cares programme has been developed through interagency consultation between UNAIDS Cosponsors and other. It is a single harmonized programme available to UN system personnel and their families in all entities and all duty stations, designed to help them to access their rights defined in the 1991 United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy and in the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work and recognize their individual responsibilities related to HIV. The UN Cares global programme was launched by the Secretary-General in May this year in New York.

The Ethiopian Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (EBCA), GTZ Engineering Capacity Building Program, the World Bank Institute and the Rapid Results Institute implemented a pilot programme to achieve rapid HIV results within businesses in Ethiopia in 100 days.

Implementing ambitious long-term HIV programmes in the workplace can be a daunting undertaking for a business. In Ethiopia, partners have piloted a management tool designed to restructure policies into a series of short-term goals and produce concrete results quickly.

The Ethiopian Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (EBCA), GTZ Engineering Capacity Building Program, the World Bank Institute and the Rapid Results Institute implemented a pilot programme to achieve rapid HIV results within businesses in Ethiopia in 100 days.

In March and April 2008, 180 staff from twelve companies, together with six members of EBCA, attended workshops in “Rapid Results Approach” (RRA) for their business HIV programmes. The trainings gave the company teams—management and employees—an opportunity to identify HIV focus areas, set ambitious targets and develop work plans.

Tadesse Tekallign of Crown Cork and Can Share Company is in no doubt about the value of the initiative. “The pilot project is creating new best practices on HIV in Ethiopia’s private sector.” “The companies are finding their own solutions and tackling challenges quickly to produce very effective results,” Tekallign continued.

Achieving their goals

In March and April 2008, 180 staff from twelve companies, together with six members of EBCA, attended workshops in “Rapid Results Approach” (RRA) for their business HIV programmes.

In the three months following the training EBCA gave outreach support to the companies by regular telephone calls, weekly meetings and assistance with setting up partnerships with non governmental organizations and associations who could provide services to the companies.

The companies’ team commitment was impressive and progress substantial. All companies reached, and exceeded, their goals within the time period.

Sustainability

Following the completion of the pilot, a workshop on experience-sharing and sustainability was held for all companies who had participated. EBCA is continuing its follow up and technical support to ensure companies continue their HIV programme implementation.

Next round

EBCA, together with the African Capacity Building Foundation, the World Bank Institute and the Rapid Results Institute have recently launched the second round of Rapid Results in 10 additional Ethiopian companies:

1. Coffee Processing
2. Comet Transport
3. Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation
4. Faffa Food Share Company
5. Kokeb Flour and Pastas
6. National Alcohol and Liquor
7. National Mining
8. National Motor Corporation
9. Nyala Insurance

Rapid Results Approach (RRA)

The Rapid Results Approach (RRA) is a management tool designed to give quick and meaningful results within 100 days or less. By focussing on results it aims to jumpstart major change efforts and assist implementation. RRA is based on the belief that the best way to build capacity is to provide people with real-time support while they work to achieve an ambitious short-term goal that is of critical importance to the organization.

In addition to achieving short-term results and teaching people how to work together, the approach aims to create grassroots capacity to carry out large-scale, complicated changes. It can help companies take their most challenging long-term HIV/AIDS projects and restructure them into a series of short-term initiatives that produce real results quickly. The approach also offers business leaders a new set of skills and expertise in coaching, team building and achieving measurable results quickly.

“UNAIDS is very happy to support the Rapid Results Initiative in Ethiopia. This approach of formulating an action plan with a sharpened focus on producing early results, can be a great model for the private sector and can help engage them better in the AIDS response," said Regina Castillo, Chief Private Sector Partnerships, UNAIDS.

The approach has also been used successfully in HIV and reproductive health programmes in Kenya, Sierra Leone and Madagascar.

UNAIDS is involving the Mexican hotel industry in a prevention campaign around the International AIDS Conference in August 2008 and in the longer term through the development of sustainable long term HIV workplace policies & programmes Photo: UNAIDS/R.Castillo

The International AIDS conference (AIDS 2008) will bring to Mexico approximately 20,000 delegates and 2000 journalists from all over the world from 3-8 August 2008. AIDS 2008 presents a unique opportunity to engage the local hotel industry on issues related to HIV.

UNAIDS and the Mexican hotel industry are launching an HIV prevention campaign entitled “The Life Initiative – Hotels addressing AIDS”. Aimed at hotel guests and staff the initiative will raise awareness about HIV prevention and non-discrimination of people living with HIV. The initiative will also promote the development of sustainable long- term HIV workplace policies and programmes in the hotels. The hotel industry is a key player in the response to AIDS as it can reach a wide and diverse audience with HIV prevention information including its large workforce.

A first inaugural meeting of all the participating hotels took place at the Hotel Marquis in Mexico City on July 4th 2008. Photo: UNAIDS/R.Alion

The prevention campaign will include the display of AIDS related leaflets, posters and brochures, art exhibitions, distribution of free male and female condoms, and showing of AIDS related films in all participating hotels. Condoms will be distributed at all participating hotels via the “condom project” which has been financed with the support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Sustainable long term HIV workplace policies and programs in hotels

One of UNAIDS’ partners in this initiative, IMPULSO - a network of NGOs experts on the provision of technical assistance on HIV in the workplace – will provide capacity building trainings which include situational analysis, stigma and discrimination program and HIV policy and program development. IMPULSO’s specific workshops in hotels also include training in the use and implementation of a software called Workplace Policy Builder designed to assist companies in developing their own AIDS policies.

Condoms will be distributed at all participating hotels via the “condom project” which has been financed with the generous support from UNFPA. Photo: UNAIDS/R.Castillo

More than 5,100 hotel employees have already been trained, covering 7,738 rooms in hotels in Mexico City. They received education information on HIV prevention, an overview of the epidemic in Mexico, and were sensitized on issues related to stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

“In Mexico, we note that nearly 200,000 people are living with HIV and around 5,000 people died in 2006 from diseases related to AIDS. The XVII International AIDS Conference presents a unique opportunity to involve the local hotel industry on issues related to HIV,” said UNAIDS Director of Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Cesar Nuñez.

All partners will announce the launch of the initiative around a press event on 06 August 2008 at 09:00- the International AIDS Society’s press center. For further information please contact UNAIDS Chief of Private Sector Partnerships, Regina Castillo (castillor@unaids.org)

A majority of the 33 million people living
with HIV worldwide are working and in
their most productive years.
Photo: UNAIDS/ILO/C.Serge

A majority of the 33 million people living with HIV worldwide are working and in their most productive years. They generate much-needed income to support their families, and their skills and experience make a big contribution to their workplace and country. However, despite major advances in attitudes and knowledge about HIV, many workers still face discrimination, stigma and fear of losing their job.

Yet the workplace can be one of the most effective settings for responding to AIDS as it is a community where people come together to discuss and learn from one another. Existing structures and facilities such as occupational health services can also be used for HIV prevention, care and support services.

New international labour standard

To expand and strengthen the role of the workplace in the global response to AIDS, the International Labour Organization (ILO), which is a cosponsor of UNAIDS, has launched a process to adopt a new international labour standard in the form of an autonomous Recommendation.

International labour standards are legal instruments drawn up by the ILO's constituents —governments, employers and workers—and which set out basic principles and rights at work.

Strengthening the Code of Practice

If adopted, the new standard would complement, reinforce and extend the impact of the existing ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, which focuses on the protection and promotion of rights and it would also strengthen the workplace contribution to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

Despite major advances in
attitudes and knowledge
about HIV, many workers still
face discrimination, stigma
and fear of losing their job.
Photo:UNAIDS/ILO/J.Maillard

The current ILO Code of Practice has been integrated into laws and policies in many countries, but because it is a voluntary instrument its uptake is optional. There is also no provision for monitoring the quality or extent of its use, as there would be in the case of a standard.

Although the implementation of a new standard would not be mandatory for member States, it would have to be submitted, once adopted, to national authorities “for the enactment of legislation or other action”. This will provide the ILO and its constituents with an opportunity to review action taken.

The standard presents a good opportunity for enhancing HIV support services in the workplace according to the Director of the ILO’s Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, Dr Sophia Kisting: “This standard setting process provides us with a special opportunity to work closely with different departments in the ILO, with our constituents, UNAIDS and with networks of people living with HIV. We are encouraged by the positive responses and support we have had, and look forward to the scaling up of concrete responses at the workplace through a strengthened legal-policy environment."

“HIV/AIDS and the World of Work”

The discussion of a new international standard is on the agenda for the 2009 and 2010 International Labour Conferences. In preparation for these discussions, the ILO has prepared an overview report “HIV/AIDS and the World of Work” which includes the most comprehensive compilation to date of national laws and policies on HIV, covering 170 countries.

The report finds that more than 70 ILO member States have, or are in the process of adopting, a general law on HIV, while 30 countries have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, specific workplace rules. Other countries deal with HIV under either equal opportunities or public health legislation, and some have integrated HIV into labour legislation.

the workplace can be one of the most
effective settings for responding to AIDS
as it is a community where people come
together to discuss and learn from one
another. Photo: UNAIDS/J.Spaull

This report and its accompanying questionnaire have been sent to the ILO's member States. Governments are to reply to the questionnaire in consultation with employers and workers which asks for their views on the scope and content of the proposed standard. Labour ministries are also advised to consult with other national ministries and institutions dealing with HIV, and to include organizations of people living with HIV and others engaged in national programmes.

Based on the responses to the questionnaire, a second report will then be produced with draft conclusions for discussion at the 2009 International Labour Conference, which will prepare the path for the adoption of the new international labour standard by 2010.

The “ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work” was adopted in 2001 in wide consultation with tripartite constituents in all regions. It has been translated into 57 languages to date. A framework for action related to the workplace, it contains principles for policy development and practical guidelines for programmes at enterprise, community and national levels and it covers in the following main areas:

1. Prevention of HIV
2. Management and mitigation of the impact of AIDS on the world of work
3. Care and support of workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS
4. Elimination of stigma and discrimination on the basis of real or perceived HIV status.

“Living with HIV” is a workplace
education programme developed by
Standard Chartered Bank

As HIV directly impacts the lives of employees and partners it impacts business. Standard Chartered Bank has been actively engaged in the AIDS response for almost ten years. “Living with HIV” is the Bank’s workplace HIV programme, a comprehensive package that delivers HIV education via face-to-face peer education sessions supplemented by an online e-Learning module.

Standard Chartered has run “Living with HIV” on a global basis since 2003, and all its employees (currently over 73,000) are required to complete it no matter where they are based, unlike other companies that run HIV programmes on a geographical and prevalence basis.

The peer programme is conducted by a network of employees who volunteer their time to educate and raise awareness about HIV. There are currently more than 800 “HIV Champions” across fifty countries so approximately one per 100 staff members.

The objectives of the “Living with HIV” programme include educating staff on prevention to encourage changing risky behaviour; reducing stigma in the workplace and encouraging HIV testing so that those living with the virus can get appropriate support.

The Bank supports this with a non-discriminatory Group Policy on HIV and AIDS as part of its company policy on the protection and enhancement of human rights in the workplace and equal opportunity regardless of color, race, gender and ethnicity.

Responding to AIDS makes business sense

The origin of Standard Chartered’s response to AIDS stemmed from Country Managing Directors, particularly in Africa, seeking human resource policy advice on the management of employees living with HIV. As HIV started to impact profitability through the loss of personnel, absenteeism, medical and welfare costs, the Bank realized that the impact of HIV was likely to be significant and that it must take action. Standard Chartered’s long-term response to HIV began in 1999 when it initiated an AIDS campaign called, “Staying Alive", which was later rolled out across twelve African countries.

Sharing best practice externally

Standard Chartered Bank recognizes that
workplace HIV education is a valuable
investment in their staff and their business.

In 2006, Standard Chartered pledged to the Clinton Global Initiative to educate 1 million people about HIV by 2010. The Bank is freely sharing its HIV educational products and techniques with other organizations and the “HIV Champions” will train peer educators within partner companies.

As part of this commitment, the bank is working with the Global Business Coalition to identify potential partner organizations that will roll out its HIV education programme, which it has already shared with customers, suppliers, governments and wider communities.

UNAIDS, the International Labour Organization and Standard Chartered are working together on an assessment of updated HIV education tools.  

Leadership in the private sector AIDS response

As an estimated two out of three people living with HIV go to work each day, UNAIDS and its cosponsor ILO, believes the workplace is one of the most effective settings for responding to the epidemic.

“UNAIDS recognizes Standard Chartered Bank as a valuable advocate and true business leader in the AIDS response,” said UNAIDS Private Sector Partnerships Chief, Regina Castillo. “International workplace programmes such as “Living with HIV” are a best practice that show that raising staff awareness of HIV is a win-win investment in the future of both their employees and their business.”

Standard Chartered’s AIDS business leadership has been recognized by a number of awards including the Global Business Coalition's 2007 Outstanding Business Action Award for Core Competency.

The Bank also supports community investment projects on AIDS and is currently reviewing medical aid packages in Africa in order to improve employee access to HIV treatment.

Standard Chartered has a history of over 150 years in banking and an extensive global network of over 1,200 branches in 56 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom and the Americas.

UNAIDS supports businesses becoming more involved in the AIDS response through its Private Sector Partnerships unit. For more information, please contact Regina Castillo Chief Private Sector Partnership. Tel: +41 22 791 4244 castillor@unaids.org

"Saving lives, protecting jobs" is a
new report from the ILO project
Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in
Enterprises

Better HIV policies and practices in the workplace have led to more supportive attitudes towards co-workers living with HIV, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reports in its new publication “Saving lives, protecting jobs”.

The report summarizes the activities of the Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in Enterprises (SHARE) project active in over 650 workplaces in 24 countries, covering almost one million workers.

“Several countries offer outstanding examples of how they address HIV/AIDS using the workplace for prevention, care and support, and to tackle stigma and discrimination,” said Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, Dr Sophia Kisting.

The report includes data on the impact of workplace HIV activities and non-discrimination policies. This data was gathered by the ILO over the past four years from six pilot countries – Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Guyana and Togo.

In each of the six pilot countries, workers demonstrated “a marked improvement” in attitudes towards people living with HIV and employers’ and workers’ groups are increasingly making use of the ILO’s Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS

In Ghana, the percentage of workers who reported having a supportive attitude towards co-workers living with HIV increased from 33 per cent to 63 per cent. In all six countries surveyed, the proportion of workers who reported supportive behaviour towards co-workers living with HIV rose from 49 per cent to 63 per cent on average during the life of the programme.

In addition to tracking changes in attitudes related to HIV, the new report also presents a series of good practices and data collected from workplaces, ministries of labour, employers’ and workers’ organizations collaborating with the ILO.

The data also showed a rise in all six countries in the percentage of workers who reported using condoms with non-regular partners from 74 per cent to 84 per cent.

Success in developing HIV policies is firmly rooted in the collaboration between workers’ and their employers’. With 33 million people living with HIV, the majority of whom are still working and in their most productive years, the workplace is an important forum for addressing HIV.

It can be one of the most effective settings for responding to the AIDS epidemic as workplaces are communities where people come together to discuss and learn from one another. Existing structures and facilities can also be used for prevention, care and support services.

ILO plan to hold a series of events in a campaign to highlight HIV and the world of work. The report will also be presented to the global AIDS community at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico on 3-8 August.

More and more businesses are introducing
HIV prevention programmes to educate
their staff about HIV.

UNAIDS works closely with the private sector and recognises the significant contribution the business community makes to the global response to the AIDS epidemic. This week, world business leaders will come together at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss global priorities for 2008––including the business community’s contribution to the AIDS response. 

In every region of the world, today’s most successful businesses are an integral part of the societies around them and more and more private sector leaders are recognising that the well being and security of the communities they serve are essential to their shared futures.

AIDS has had a profound impact on the business community. The global labour force has lost 28 million people to AIDS––which in the most affected countries has taken a direct toll on markets, investments, services and education.

Unlike most other health crises, HIV largely strikes people of working age, around nine out of ten people living with HIV today are in their most productive years.

AIDS reduces the supply of labour, increasing operational costs, reducing productivity, slowing economic growth and threatening the livelihoods of both workers and employers.

But businesses are fighting back. With the realisation that the workplace is one of the most effective environments to promote AIDS awareness and support people living with HIV, businesses around the world are investing in the AIDS response.

“The business community understands that their reach, expertise, skills and resources can make a real difference to the AIDS response––helping to keep both their workforce and their businesses healthy,” said Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

HIV programmes introduced into the
workplace are playing an important role in
reducing stigma around the disease and
supporting people in accessing essential
HIV services.

More and more businesses are introducing HIV prevention programmes to educate their staff about HIV. These vital programmes are giving employees the tools they need to protect themselves and their families from HIV.

Studies show that two out of three people living with HIV go to work, and for many the fear of losing their jobs or being shunned by colleagues prevents them from disclosing their HIV status––denying them access to vital treatment and support services. HIV programmes introduced into the workplace are playing an important role in reducing stigma around the disease and supporting people in accessing essential HIV services.

The business community are also looking outside their own walls to make a difference. Companies are using their knowledge and expertise, resources and networks to build capacity in the AIDS response, promote behavioural change, mobilise private and public funds and share best practices.

The role of the business community is proving central to the response to the epidemic and UNAIDS will continue to work with business of all sizes and sectors to further strengthen the AIDS response.

UNAIDS is currently working with partners from the travel & tourism, telecommunication, sports, mines, PR/advertisement, finance, media, pharmaceuticals, oil & petroleum and automobile industries. UNAIDS also works closely with over 30 regional and national business coalitions.