date: 1 December 2009
embargo: For immediate release
HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue says TUC
Speaking earlier today (Tuesday) at a TUC World AIDS Day seminar, TUC Assistant General Secretary Kay Carberry said that as more than nine in ten of world's population who are living with HIV/AIDS are of working age, the response of workplaces around the world was an issue that could not be ignored.
Addressing delegates attending I want to live my rights in the workplace, Kay Carberry said: 'Around the world, there are more than 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS and over 30 million of these are of working age. Most are in developing countries, in Africa in particular, and over half of them are women.
'It is a workplace issue that cannot be ignored and unions around the world are working closely with employers to ensure that affected workers are not stigmatised because of their condition and receive all the help they need to be able to continue at work for as long as possible.
'The International Labour Organisation is currently working on a new recommendation covering the issue of AIDS in the workplace, and everyone hopes that when this is finalised next year, the agreement will open up new avenues for even greater workplace action.'
Kay Carberry went on to refer to several workplace initiatives currently underway in Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda led by unions and funded with TUC support, saying:
'But in Uganda all the good work that the country's National Organisation of Trade Unions is currently undertaking could be jeopardised if a new law outlawing same sex relationships is passed by the Ugandan Parliament. There are lots of reasons why anyone should want to oppose this proposed law, but one of them is that by driving gay men and women underground, HIV/AIDS will become much more difficult to combat in Uganda.
'The TUC has already raised this issue with the UK Government and unions in Uganda, and we must hope that the Uganda Parliament can be dissuaded from passing such an archaic, homophobic and discriminatory law.'
International Development Minister Mike Foster said: 'Trade unions are the unsung heroes in the global effort to reduce HIV and AIDS.
'Workplace initiatives across Asia and Africa have continuously provided an unrivalled platform for workers to access information on avoiding infection; seeking treatment; and protecting their human rights.
'That is why the UK Government will continue to support the work of the TUC, which ultimately is saving many thousands of lives.'
NOTES TO EDITORS: Other speakers at the TUC's World AIDS Day seminar, which took place at Congress House, included International Development Minister Mike Foster, David Borrow MP Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS, Lord Bill Morris and Daniel Owasu Boatey, HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator for the Ghana TUC.
Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Press release (500 words) issued 1 Dec 2009
