Strategies and Perspectives to Address HIV and AIDS in

the WorkplaceRegional experiences

Ana Catalina Ramírez AbarcaHIV/AIDS Focal Point

ILO Subregional Office

Prevention

Care and support

No discrimination

HIV and AIDS Plan for the Workplace

HIV and AIDS National Plan

National legislations and standards

Policies

Programes

Application of the ILO Code of Practices on HIV and AIDS in the Workplace

Legislations, standards and policies norms at the regional level

Situation in the 34 States of the Americas and the Caribbean: 23 have a national policy to address HIV

and AIDS All have a National Coordinating

Response Unit

HIV and AIDS national laws address workplace issues

In the Caribbean, specific HIV and AIDS legislation and policies address workplace issues

Caribbean Policy for the workplace and the Declaration of Port of Spain are two examples of regional policies

CSI-IEO Declaration

Legislations, standards and policies norms at the regional level

Guidelines of the ILO’s Code of Practices frequently found in national laws and policies: Acknowledge that HIV and AIDS is a work-

place issue Eliminate stigma and discrimination in the

workplace Prohibit the use of screening practices as a

means to exclude infected persons from the workplace or work processes

Legislations, standards and policies norms at the regional level

The importance of the workplace is recognized

The fundamental labor rights are observed

General actions in accordance with the ILO Code of Practices

Positive aspects

Lack of information and the laws Absence of consistency in general and

labor laws Health-based approach Absence of control mechanisms

Challenges

Practical Regional Experiences

Employer-based initiatives Business coalitions: Mexico,

Guatemala, Panama, Jamaica, Brazil Policies at the workplace coordinated

by Human Resources Departments or Occupational Health and Safety Offices

Scant experiences from the public sector

Labor Organizations Initiatives

Interectorial actions: transport and education

Research: LACCASO-CIOSL study about labor standards and its application

Trade Unions commissions: Brazil, Honduras, Dominican Republic

Ministers of Labor Initiatives

Efforts to include the subject in the inspectors agenda reported at Honduras and Dominican Republic

Specific training for the key staff of the Ministers of Labor (inspectors, dialogue, female workers)

In the Caribbean, tripartite policies for the workplace

Regional balance

First steps have been already taken but we need more mechanism to assure their application: Revision and diffusion of national laws and

policies Joint actions and harmonized with a

national policy frame Strengthening of the Ministers of Labor

capacities- inspection and prevention

Sharing good practices: What works ? Incorporate other sector of the economy;

especially local enterprises with high risk of infection

General monitoring and evaluation framework

Perspectives: Forward strategic actions

Foment health and security training programs for Ministers of Labor

Presence of the labor authorities in national commissions

Inclusion of the subject matter in the tripartite national agendas

Foment the application of shared good practices

Create national frameworks for action

Thank you very much for your attention