Workplace interventions launched in Delhi

May 10, 2006

Workplace intervention is a recent, much needed initiative of Delhi State AIDS

Control Society in colloboration with ILO.

ILO India along with NACO is implementing the Project on “Prevention of HIV AIDS

in the world of work - a tripartite response”. The project aims at providing

support to the government, trade unions, employers’ organizations and

enterprises to sensitize them and help them develop their HIV AIDS response.

The rationale behind making HIV AIDS an issue for workplace is that it hits

maximally at the economically most productive group. Also it has a negative

impact on the work sector by increase of absenteeism due to illness/

bereavement, increase in labour turnover, fall in productioin, increased

employer expenditure and reduction in profit levels.

Situation in India demands urgent action as India has about 13% of the global

population of people living with HIV AIDS.

A Stake holders meeting was held on 9th May 2006 to launch the programme and to

highlight the need to develop an HIV AIDS response to protect workers in both

organized and unorganized work sectors.

Representatives from labour department, state government, trade unions,

employers associations, enterprises, NGOs etc.particpated in the programme

..Honable Chief secretary of Delhi grace the inaugural function and released six

different types of posters in Hindi and english on this occasion.

The joint inputs of ILO, NACO, DSACS and all the stake holders enabled

development of workplace policy for the work force with respect to HIV AIDS so

that we are able to prevent infection. In addition this cooperation and

coordination will go a long way in providing access to the workers care and

support services.

The programme will definitely bring about a sustainable action in the HIV AIDS

prevention, care and support in the work world and go a long way in prevention

of HIV/ AIDS, enhance work place protection and reduce its adverse consequences

on social, labour and economic consequences. Loss of work is one of the major

problems faced by them They are not to be denied the right to work and earn a

living, because thisis detrimental to their ability to manage their illness and

their lives. The workforce needs adequate sensitization and advocacy to accept

PLHAs to mitigate the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.

Representative of Delhi Jal Board, NDPL,DMRC, INDO RAMA, AMBUJA CEMENT ,CII,

FICCI, HINDU MAJDOOR sABHA. INTUC,CITU AND SEVERAL OTHER NGO' WORKING IN

WORKPLACES PARTICIPATED IN THIS MEETING.A declaration was also signed by all the

stakeholders to make this prorame a success.

Dr.Kapoor J.P. M.D.(Paed)

e-mal: <jpkapoor@...>

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