Public Services International Affiliated Trade Unions in South Africa
participated in an HIV/AIDS Seminar at Parktonian Hotel, Johannesburg from the
25-26th November 2010, held under the Theme “Strengthening the Public Sector
Trade Unions’ voice, dialogue and partnerships in implementing monitoring and
evaluating policies and platforms for engaging on HIV/AIDS in the public
service”.
The main aim of the Seminar, amongst others, was to identify and reflect on the
level of public sector trade unions’ response to HIV/AIDS in South Africa in
the
world of work, examining the impact of Employee Wellness Programmes sharing
experiences on HIV Counseling and Testing Campaign and utilizations of
partnerships and/or networks to make the scourge a Trade Union issue.
The Seminar comes few days towards the World Aids Day Celebration across all
countries of the world. The Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region hardest hit
by
HIV prevalence, accounting to 67% of all people living with the virus
worldwide,
with 71% of AIDS related deaths and 91% of all new infections amongst children.
[UNAids Report, 2010].
Access to treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV], an incurable viral
infection that causes AIDS and affects 33, 4 million people around the
world-has
increased 12-fold in six years, and 5, 2 million people are now getting the
drugs they need. It is accounted that South Africa has the most infected people
of any country in the world with 5,7 million living with HIV, with around 18%
of South Africans aged 15-49 been affected.
And the Seminar was meant to work on an action plan to respond as Affiliates of
PSI to ensure that more advocacy programmes are extended to the workplace for
workers to be aware of the fight against the pandemic. International Labour
Organization has predicted that 74 million people will be lost by 2015, if
nothing changes.
Indeed, the workplace is an ideal entry point for implementing policies to
break
the stigma attached to the virus and to deliver treatment, and care. Social
dialogue is the process necessary to ensure that legislative framework on
health
matters also covers policies that will help fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS. The
2001 “Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work” was the first step,
amongst the steps that our governments must strengthen to train labour
administration officers, as well as Labour Judges, to be in a better position
to
prevent and enforce laws, including the handling of complaints related to HIV
Status at the workplace, real or perceived.
The call by Trade Unions for Decent Work Agenda became relevant and the
Attendees unanimously agreed on the following aspects, to form part of the
Action Plans;
* Enhance Collaboration and/or Partnerships with all role players,
including
health workes,government,Community-based organizations, Trade Unions and
Business community to sustain training on awareness of HIV/AIDS impact;
* Lobby for support for sustainable Trade Union Programmes around
HIV/AIDS;
* Engage vigorously with employers to implement HIV/AIDS
Programmes,Employee
Wellness Programmes and Occupational Health and Safety Plans to eradicate
impact
of the infection on workers;
* Enhance sustainable holding of Train the Trainer to increase a pool
of
counselors to deal with the stigma of the persons infected and affected and
their families; and
* Promote the Decent Work Campaign across all workplaces.
The attendees interviewed,amongst others, Comrade Amelia Khasipe and Jabu
Madonsela from SAMWU and POPCRU respectively said that "they are looking
forward
to the implementation of the Action Plan to reduce infection amongst all
citizens in general and workers and youth in particular".
The Seminar was addressed,amongst others, by PSI Sub-Regional Secretary for
Southern Africa,Ms Thembi Mngomezulu; Chief Director of Public Service-Employee
Wellness Programme, Dr.Sipho Senabe; Chief Director for Employees Health and
Wellness Programme in Gauteng, Ms. Dawn Joseph; Deputy Chair of South African
National Aids Council,Mr Mark Heywood; Labour Research Services Officials, Ms
Nina Benjamin; Tswaranang Legal Advocacy Official, Ms.Sarah Haken and HIV/AIDS
Technical Specialist for ILO DWT for East Southern Africa, Mrs. Evelyn Serima.
And the Seminar was attended by POPCRU, SAMWU, DENOSA, PAWUSA, SADNU, NPSWU,
NUPSAW and HOSPERSA
HIV/AIDS is a Trade Union issue as many skilled workers and bread winners are
killed, and thus undermining the social fibre of our society-Families and the
life expectancy of mankind.
Forward with the struggle to defeat the scourge of HIV/AIDS!
Issued by:
Norman Mampane
National Spokesperson
Tel: 0112424600/4615
Cell: 0720737959
Fax: 0866253054
Email: [email protected]
01 Marie Road
Auckland Park
2006
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