Issued by: SA Communication Service
3 May 1998
Pretoria - "With an estimated 20% of the South African's economically active people being infected with HIV by the year 2000, the workplace has a critical role to play in developing appropriate response to the epidemic", says Rose Smart, Director of the National AIDS Programme of the Department of Health.
It is a known fact that the AIDS epidemic will affect business leaders, managers and a great number of workers at all levels that will eventually result in major losses in the economically active population. Responses from sectors such as business, government and trade unions are critical strategies available to curtail the growth of the epidemic and minimise its negative impact.
In recognition of Workers' Day (1 May), the National AIDS Programme of the Department of Health, the Department of Labour, UNAIDS and the AIDS Law Project co-hosted a seminar to highlight the importance of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment which was adopted by all member countries in May 1997.
The Department of Health officially launched the "Guidelines for developing a workplace policy and programme on HIV/AIDS and STDs". The guidelines were developed through a process of interviews, meetings and group discussions with role players from various workplaces, in business, NGO's, government and trade unions. During her presentation Mrs Smart said that "The launch of the guidelines to develop workplace policies and programmes marks a turning point for the South African workplace. This document provides workplaces with a user friendly plan of action that could be used as a starting point for those who wish to develop an HIV/AIDS and STD policy or programme in the workplace".
Contact: Rentia Agenbag Phone: (012) 312 0116 Fax: (0120 326 2891