ILO launches process aimed at adopting new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS in the world of work
14 May 2008
GENEVA (ILO News): Noting that 169 of its 181 Member States have adopted a national policy or strategy concerning HIV/AIDS, the International Labour Office (ILO) is launching a process to adopt a new international labour standard aimed at bolstering the role of the workplace in the global response to the pandemic.
A new report, HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, lays the groundwork for discussion at the 2009 and 2010 International Labour Conferences. It is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive overview of action taken by national governments and international organizations on HIV/AIDS, with specific reference to the world of work, and reveals that many countries have taken significant steps to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the work of work.
The report finds that more than 70 ILO Member States have, or are in the process of adopting, a general law on HIV/AIDS, while 30 countries have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, specific workplace rules. Other countries deal with HIV/AIDS under either equal opportunities or public health legislation, and some have integrated HIV/AIDS into labour legislation.
HIV is having a devastating effect on the world of work. A majority of the 33.2 million people worldwide now living with HIV are still working and in their most productive years, with skills and experience their families, workplace and country can ill afford to lose. However, despite major advances in attitudes and knowledge about AIDS, many workers still face discrimination, stigma and fear of losing their job.
Source: ILO
