The Workplace: Gateway to Universal Access

1. The Workplace: Gateway to Universal Access The role of the ILO in increasing access to prevention, care and treatment for HIV and AIDS Dr. Benjamin O. Alli Coordinator, Technical Cooperation and Advisory ServicesILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work Geneva

2. “ Nine out of every ten people with HIV/AIDS will get up today and go to work” Juan Somavia Director General of the ILO

3. ILO Estimates • HIV infection is concentrated among adults of working age • Out of 40 million people estimated to be infected today. 90% are adults in their productive & reproductive prime (15-49) • This affects productivity, provision of essential services & socio-economic security

4. What is Universal Access? It is a process whereby people are encouraged to undergo VCT, i.e. be tested without fear of stigma and discrimination, advised as to prevention measures and offered other services including treatment if and when needed

5. Universal Access Key issues for the workplace • Eliminating stigma and discrimination • Promoting and protecting the rights and dignity of workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS • Providing access to information and services • Management and mitigation of the impact of HIV & AIDS in the workplace

6. Stigma and Discrimination • Barrier to an effective response to HIV/AIDS • Fear of rejection or reprisal by family & workers • Concealment of HIV status • Discourages infected individual from seeking treatment • Fear of job loss

7. Stigma & Discrimination Strategic elements of ILO focus • National legal and policy framework that prohibits discrimination • Joint action by employers and workers • A workplace policy based on the ILO Code of Practice • Workplace education programmes, training for government officials, and leadership building among the social partners

8. Care, support & treatment Care & Treatment • Expand access to ART through occupational health services • The use of multidisciplinary teams to provide services • Encourage VCT • Establish referral programme for workers and their families through community outreach programmes • Promote compliance to ART • Increase access for treatment for Opportunistic Infections including TB

9. Care, support & treatment Incoming Generating Activities & Social Protection • Promotion of Skills development and income generating activities to reduce vulnerability to the impact of HIV/AIDS • Social protection including access to social security, medical benefits, health insurance, etc. • Social transfers

10. Prevention: Key elements Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) • Awareness • Creation of non-discriminatory environment • Peer education and training • VCT • Condom promotion & distribution, STI diagnosis & treatment Safety and health in the workplace • HIV/AIDS is an issue of occupational safety for health care workers, security personnel (prisons), emergency services, park and beach cleaners, garbage collectors • Convention 161 and Recommendation 171 • Risk reduction through training and application of infection control • Universal precautions

11. ILO contributions to universal access • Advocating for workplace to be the key delivery point for prevention, treatment, & care to working adults • Advising on legal and policy reform • Demonstrating the benefits of comprehensive workplace programme • Strengthening capacity of employers & workers to design, implement & sustain comprehensive workplace programmes • Integrating HIV in existing OSH structures, OHS and vocational training programmes • Helping constituents & partners promote access to treatment & de-stigmatize HIV status by conducting “Know your status” campaigns • Develop PP partnerships to extend programmes beyond workplace • Provide policy guidance & extend social protection; health and life insurance schemes • Mapping enterprise activity and sharing good practice

12. THANK YOU