UNAIDS: The First 10 Years

Chapter 5The International Labour Organization becomes UNAIDS eighthCosponsor137In October 2001, the International Labour Organization (ILO) became the eighth Cosponsor ofUNAIDS. ILO brought its considerable expertise in the world of work, and, since 2000, withits establishment of a programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, had carried out severalcountry-level activities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.At UNGASS, ILO published its pioneering Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work. Itwas the result of intensive efforts by the organization’s tripartite partners – workers, employers andgovernments.The Code establishes key principles for policy development and practical guidelines for programmingin the key areas of prevention, care and the protection of human rights.A key principle of the code is: ‘HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue and should be treated like any otherserious illness/condition in the workplace. This is necessary not only because it affects the workforcebut also because the workplace, being part of the local community, has a role to play in the widerstruggle to limit the spread and effects of the epidemic’.Having promoted an enabling environment, ILO began in earnest to roll out an ambitious campaignpromoting policy and programmes that address HIV in the workplace. With critical financial andpolitical support from the US Department of Labor, the International HIV/AIDS WorkplaceEducation Programme was conceived and began modestly in India in 2000.From an initial grant of US$ 400 000, the pilot project launched in selected Indian States has nowexpanded to become an interregional initiative with a cumulative allocation of US$ 24.5 million,covering 23 countries and reaching about 300 000 workers in some 300 enterprises worldwide. Todate, about 250 national counterparts are involved in guiding the implementation of project work."At the present level of funding, the programme which operates across sectors from banking toconstruction, to informal street vendors, expects to directly assist a further 120 000 workers as newcountry projects come on stream", says Sophia Kisting, Director and Global Coordinator of the ILOProgramme on AIDS and the World of Work.The India experience confirms the critical contributions made by collaborating institutionsrepresenting people living with HIV. "Involving persons living with HIV/AIDS is very important.Many top executives and other decision-makers have never met them before. When they notice thatthey are fit to do their jobs and co-workers are not at risk, the decision-makers cooperate with ourgoals", says India's National Programme Coordinator Syed Mohamed Afsar.According to Manoj Pardesi, living with HIV himself and carrying out advocacy work with the IndiaSHARE Project, the involvement of people living with HIV in the project is making a difference."Enterprises and trade unions are buying the idea of keeping people living with HIV/AIDS inemployment and creating a non-discriminatory environment for us", he says.