Strategies and Perspectives
to Address HIV and AIDS in
the Workplace
Regional experiences
Ana Catalina Ramírez Abarca
HIV/AIDS Focal Point
ILO Subregional Office
Application of the ILO Code of Practices on HIV and AIDS in the
Workplace
HIV and AIDS
National Plan
HIV and AIDS
Plan for the
Workplace
Prevention
No discrimination
National
legislations
and
standards
Policies
Care and support
Programes
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
Legislations, standards and policies
norms at the regional level




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
Positive aspects

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The importance of the workplace is
recognized
The fundamental labor rights are
observed
General actions in accordance with the
ILO Code of Practices
Challenges

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Lack of information and the laws
Absence of consistency in general and
labor laws
Health-based approach
Absence of control mechanisms
Practical Regional Experiences

Employer-based initiatives

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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

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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

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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:

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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

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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


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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