Promoting Decent Work for All

Partnerships in Health Sixth Regional Conference on HIV and AIDS"Treatment of Co-Infections and Innovative

Approaches to prevention of HIV“

May 17-18 2012, Sarajevo

Lejla Tanovic, ILO National Coordinator in B&H

ILO DWT/CO Budapest

Promoting Decent Work for All

HIV/AIDS - a human rights issueThe ILO’s Approach

•The ILO approach to HIV/AIDS is a rights-based approach (applying human rights principles to HIV/ AIDS problem)•Human rights are a matter of principle, but with very practical effects.  •The best way to respond to the human rights implications of HIV/AIDS is to develop policies at national and enterprise levels that protect the rights of those concerned.

Promoting Decent Work for All

HIV/AIDS - a human rights issueThe ILO’s Approach (cont.)

It is necessary to deal with HIV/AIDS in the workplace because:

1.HIV/AIDS has a huge impact on the world of work

2. Workplace is a good place to tackle HIV/AIDS. Standards are set for working conditions and labour relations

3.Employers and trade unions are leaders in their communities and countries.

Promoting Decent Work for All

The role of the ILO

•The ILO is involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS because the epidemic is everybody’s business.•HIV/AIDS threatens the ILO’s constituents and compromises the ILO’s goal of achieving decent work.• The ILO’s goal: the promotion of opportunities for men and women to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

Promoting Decent Work for All

The role of the ILO (cont.)

To achieve decent work,4 strategic objectives have been developed – and HIV/AIDS is threatening all of them:

1.Fundamental principles and rights at work

2. Employment and income opportunities for women and men

3.Social protection

4. Social dialogue and tripartism

Promoting Decent Work for All

ILO standards and HIV/AIDS

• ILO Recommendation 200 on HIV/AIDS in place since 2000

•No ILO Convention specifically addresses the issue of HIV/AIDS at the workplace BUT there are Conventions which cover both protection against discrimination and prevention of infection, and these can be and have been used

 

Promoting Decent Work for All

ILO standards and HIV/AIDS (cont.)

• C 111 - Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958

• C 155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981

• C 161 - Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 • C 158 - Termination of Employment Convention, 1982• C159 -Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled persons), 1983

• C 102 - Social Security (Minimum Standards), 1952

• C 81 - Labour Inspection Convention, 1947• C 129 - Labour Inspection (Agriculture),1969

Promoting Decent Work for All

ILO standards and HIV/AIDS (cont.)

•In 2000, Recommendation No. 200 on HIV/AIDS adopted•ILO Code of Practice •ILO Code of Practice establishes fundamental principles (10) for policies at all levels, and practical guidance for workplace programmes.

 

Promoting Decent Work for All

ILO Code of Practice : 10 key principles

1. Recognition of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue:

2. No discrimination against workers on the basis of real or perceived HIV status.

3.Gender equality: The gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS should be recognized.

4.Healthy work environment: The work environment should be healthy and safe for all concerned parties.

Promoting Decent Work for All

ILO Code of Practice : 10 key principles

5. Social dialogue

6.No screening for purposes of exclusion from employment or work processes

7. Confidentiality

8. Continuation of employment relationship

9. Prevention: HIV infection is preventable

10. Care and support: Solidarity, care and support should guide the response to HIV/AIDS in the world of work.

Promoting Decent Work for All

THANK YOU

More info available at: www.ilo.org/aids