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9 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 9/2001
Industrial employers must do much more to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
That was one of the main calls when trade union representatives from Africa and Asia met in South Africa this Monday to discuss ways of tackling the pandemic.
Taking part were unions affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which organised the conference. Support came from the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Swedish metal and allied workers' union Metall and the Danish general workers' union SiD.
Unions also have an important part to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS, delegates emphasised. The ICEM and its affiliated unions should focus on workplace activities, as well as undertaking and disseminating research on HIV/AIDS in the ICEM's sectors. This research should include the cost/affordability and availability of HIV/AIDS drugs.
The conference was held in Africa in view of the especially serious HIV/AIDS problem in many African countries. From the discussions, it was clear that the nature of the HIV/AIDS challenges, the profiles of the spread of HIV/AIDS and the perceived priorities differ from country to country and from region to region. However, the participants agreed on the key challenges and priorities.
In particular, it was felt that employers in ICEM sectors have much further to go in accepting the reality of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and their responsibilities for preventing the spread. Employer action should include the provision of medical resources for tackling HIV/AIDS in their workplaces.
Given the clear links between single-sex hostel accommodation for male workers in a number of ICEM sectors and the spread of HIV/AIDS, the participants demanded that employers provide proper family housing for such workers. Employers' "hostel culture" attitudes should be eliminated.
Employers must meet the HIV/AIDS challenge through effective partnerships with organised labour. These must include joint cooperation to fight the stigmatisation and/or victimisation of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Many participants felt that the ICEM and its affiliated unions could and should do a lot more to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and support those living with HIV/AIDS.
At the same time, it was recognised that the ICEM and its affiliates needed to concentrate their efforts where they are likely to make the most impact. Many other groups and organisations are working on the HIV/AIDS issue. They have special skills and expertise which it would be pointless for unions to try to duplicate. So the ICEM should focus mainly on the workplace. Activities there would also provide opportunities to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in the broader community.
In this regard, it would be important to work with the ILO and seek ILO funding. The prevention of discrimination and/or victimisation of those living with HIV/AIDS could be helped through the development of an ILO Convention, or the modification of existing relevant Conventions. It was felt that the ILO could be particularly useful in providing "training the trainers" assistance, as well as other means for diffusion of best practices.
It was recognised that ICEM-affiliated unions would sometimes need help in developing negotiating positions, as well as in fighting the social exclusion of those living with HIV/AIDS - and of their families.
Given the need to focus activities on the workplace, it was felt that the ICEM should consider inviting employers from ICEM industries to an ICEM conference or conferences on HIV/AIDS. Additionally, there would be an ongoing need to lobby employers' associations in order to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS and the importance of tackling it in the workplace.
One important use of the ICEM's influence would be to put pressure on governments - in addition to companies - to ensure the wider availability of medical treatment. It should also address international financial institutions and seek funding for targeted HIV/AIDS activities in ICEM sectors.
The ICEM's HIV/AIDS activities must strongly emphasise the importance of programmes for the empowerment of women, the conference insisted.
That was one of the main calls when trade union representatives from Africa and Asia met in South Africa this Monday to discuss ways of tackling the pandemic.
Taking part were unions affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which organised the conference. Support came from the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Swedish metal and allied workers' union Metall and the Danish general workers' union SiD.
Unions also have an important part to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS, delegates emphasised. The ICEM and its affiliated unions should focus on workplace activities, as well as undertaking and disseminating research on HIV/AIDS in the ICEM's sectors. This research should include the cost/affordability and availability of HIV/AIDS drugs.
The conference was held in Africa in view of the especially serious HIV/AIDS problem in many African countries. From the discussions, it was clear that the nature of the HIV/AIDS challenges, the profiles of the spread of HIV/AIDS and the perceived priorities differ from country to country and from region to region. However, the participants agreed on the key challenges and priorities.
In particular, it was felt that employers in ICEM sectors have much further to go in accepting the reality of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and their responsibilities for preventing the spread. Employer action should include the provision of medical resources for tackling HIV/AIDS in their workplaces.
Given the clear links between single-sex hostel accommodation for male workers in a number of ICEM sectors and the spread of HIV/AIDS, the participants demanded that employers provide proper family housing for such workers. Employers' "hostel culture" attitudes should be eliminated.
Employers must meet the HIV/AIDS challenge through effective partnerships with organised labour. These must include joint cooperation to fight the stigmatisation and/or victimisation of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Many participants felt that the ICEM and its affiliated unions could and should do a lot more to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and support those living with HIV/AIDS.
At the same time, it was recognised that the ICEM and its affiliates needed to concentrate their efforts where they are likely to make the most impact. Many other groups and organisations are working on the HIV/AIDS issue. They have special skills and expertise which it would be pointless for unions to try to duplicate. So the ICEM should focus mainly on the workplace. Activities there would also provide opportunities to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in the broader community.
In this regard, it would be important to work with the ILO and seek ILO funding. The prevention of discrimination and/or victimisation of those living with HIV/AIDS could be helped through the development of an ILO Convention, or the modification of existing relevant Conventions. It was felt that the ILO could be particularly useful in providing "training the trainers" assistance, as well as other means for diffusion of best practices.
It was recognised that ICEM-affiliated unions would sometimes need help in developing negotiating positions, as well as in fighting the social exclusion of those living with HIV/AIDS - and of their families.
Given the need to focus activities on the workplace, it was felt that the ICEM should consider inviting employers from ICEM industries to an ICEM conference or conferences on HIV/AIDS. Additionally, there would be an ongoing need to lobby employers' associations in order to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS and the importance of tackling it in the workplace.
One important use of the ICEM's influence would be to put pressure on governments - in addition to companies - to ensure the wider availability of medical treatment. It should also address international financial institutions and seek funding for targeted HIV/AIDS activities in ICEM sectors.
The ICEM's HIV/AIDS activities must strongly emphasise the importance of programmes for the empowerment of women, the conference insisted.