Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:10 AM
Jul 24, 2008 News
The National Tripartite Committee will finally approve the HIV/AIDS workplace policy, which will set minimum standards for business places.
This announcement was made yesterday by Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir, who was at the time attending an HIV/AIDS workplace policy development sensitization session for the business sector that was hosted by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Quamina Street.
The National Tripartite Committee comprises of the government, the private sector and union representatives. Kaieteur News understands that this national workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is to be adopted as the minimum standards that must be implemented, by all employers, trade unions and employee representatives, and Government.
The policy concerns prevention measures for occupational safety and health, protection and support for employees already living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and use of the workplace as a forum to disseminate information and awareness on HIV/AIDS.
The objectives of the policy are to protect Persons Living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination and unfair judgment at their workplace, to manage and prevent HIV and AIDS in the world of work, to promote information, education, communication, and general awareness on HIV and AIDS, to ensure universal infection control procedures, to detail employer/employee responsibilities, to promote cooperation among Government, employers, trade unions, and workers, and to ensure compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, at the workshop yesterday, National Project Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS workplace programme, Sean Wilson, said that persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS deserve an opportunity to be employed at any business place.
He explained that the stigma and discrimination attached to the virus is what really kills an infected person.
The sensitisation session saw close to 15 new enterprises that have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation indicating their support for the policy.
According to Mr. Wilson, workplaces need to adopt the policy, since many countries are losing skilled workers who are infected with HIV/AIDS.
He explained that Guyana cannot afford to go down that road, and as such the policy should be widely accepted.
Treasurer of FITUG, Seepaul Narine, said that the union is faced with the possibility of losing members if persons are not in the workforce.
He noted that people do not take the time to educate themselves about HIV, unless someone close to them is infected or affected by the virus. Narine stressed that the virus is a critical health and safety issue, and as such it deserved undivided attention.
Labour Minister, Manzoor Nadir said that the virus affects the most productive part of the workforce. “If the country is going to be economically competitive, then we have to be concerned about the health and safety of the workforce,” Nadir said.
Approximately 230,000 workers have been touched as a result of the HIV/AIDS programme. Of that number a total of 117, 000 have registered with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Minister Nadir noted that half of the workforce in Guyana is engaged in undocumented employment. As such, as part of the programme the ministry will ensure that employers register their employees for NIS.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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