Health Minister Endorses HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy

Minister of Health, John Junor has endorsed efforts to empower public and private sector organizations in Jamaica to write and implement workplace policy guidelines on HIV/AIDS.

A tripartite team of government, employers and workers under the guidance of the Labour Advisory Committee is leading the process to draft and implement a national workplace policy on HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health has also drafted a policy to guide its employees in how to prevent HIV/AIDS at the workplace and how to cope with persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Other ministries that have drafted workplace policy guidelines include: Industry of Education, Labour and Social Security; National Security and Education Youth and Culture. Other partners involved in HIV/AIDS workplace policy development are the Jamaica Enployers Federation (JEF), the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) and the National AIDS Committee (NAC).

HIV/AIDS guidelines for the workplace are based on a code of practice for the world of work developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO developed 10 principles that guide workers in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, mitigating its impact and in coping with persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Among others things the policy will guide all workers in improving accepting attitudes to persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

World AIDS Day 2003

World AIDS Day 2003 focuses on the reduction of stigma and discrimination against Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Activities will be held under the theme “Live and Let Live.”

In Jamaica, an estimated 24,000 individuals are HIV infected and according to The Ministry of Health’s AIDS report 2002, 7027 persons have been diagnosed with AIDS since 1982.

The National Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Behavior Survey (2000) indicated that 35% of the population knew someone living with the virus. The 20-39 age group, the nation’s most productive group, has been hardest hit by the epidemic.

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