Preface

• Pages: III-III

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Preface

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is now a global crisis, and constitutes one of the most for-

midable challenges to development and social progress. In the most affected countries,

the epidemic is eroding decades of development gains, undermining economies, threat-

ening security and destabilizing societies. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic has

already had a devastating impact, the crisis has created a state of emergency.

Beyond the suffering it imposes on individuals and their families, the epidemic is pro-

foundly affecting the social and economic fabric of societies. HIV/AIDS is a major threat

to the world of work: it is affecting the most productive segment of the labour force and

reducing earnings, and it is imposing huge costs on enterprises in all sectors through de-

clining productivity, increasing labour costs and loss of skills and experience. In addition,

HIV/AIDS is affecting fundamental rights at work, particularly with respect to discrimi-

nation and stigmatization aimed at workers and people living with and affected by HIV/

AIDS. The epidemic and its impact strike hardest at vulnerable groups including women

and children, thereby increasing existing gender inequalities and exacerbating the prob-

lem of child labour.

This is why the ILO is committed to making a strong statement through a code of

practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. The code will be instrumental in helping

to prevent the spread of the epidemic, mitigate its impact on workers and their families

and provide social protection to help cope with the disease. It co vers key principles, such

as the recognition o f HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, non-discrimination in employment,

gender equality, screening and confidentiality, social dialogue, prevention and care and

support, as the basis for addressing the epidemic in the workplace.

This code is the product of collaboration between the ILO and its tripartite constitu-

ents, as well as cooperation with its international partners. It provides invaluable practical

guidance to policy-makers, employers’ and workers’ organizations and other social part-

ners for formulating and implementing appropriate workplace policy, prevention and

care programmes, and for establishing strategies to address workers in the informal sec-

tor. This is an important ILO contribution to the global effort to fight HIV/AIDS.

The code will help to secure conditions o f decent work in the face of a major human-

itarian and development crisis. Already, valuable lessons have been learned in attempt-

ing to deal with this crisis. A few countries have achieved a degree of success in slowing

down the spread of the infection and mitigating its effects on individuals and their com-

munities. The best practices have included committed leadership, multi-sectoral ap-

proaches, partnership with civil society, including people living with HIV/AIDS, and

education. These elements are reflected in the key principles of the c ode and its reliance

on the mobilization of the social partners for effective implementation.

This is a forward-looking and pioneering document which addresses present prob-

lems and anticipates future consequences of the epidemic and its impact on the world

of work. Through this code, the ILO will increase its support for international and na-

tional c ommitments to protect the rights and dignity o f workers and all people living with

HIV/AIDS.

Geneva, June 2001 Juan Somavia,

Director-General.