Background

China has a solid policy framework for eliminating workplace HIV discrimination. This includes the Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases (2004), the National AIDS Regulation (2006) and the Employment Promotion Law (2008).

Nonetheless, the discrimination of people with HIV is still common. A 2009 UNAIDS survey revealed that nearly 15 per cent of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have been refused employment because of their HIV status, and nearly 55 per cent of employed respondents reported discriminatory or very discriminatory reactions from management. Further, qualitative research amongst PLHIV and injecting drug user (IDU) support groups in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, conducted in 2009, revealed that there was little awareness of any policies or support services protecting the employment rights of PLHIV. The lack of awareness support services displayed was evident, despite their widespread awareness of the frequency of workplace discrimination.

This program will work closely with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security to review HIV related policy documents and identify discriminatory policies, and explore possibilities for policy revision. The project will work with Non-Government Organizations to build the capacity of PLHIV groups to address employment discrimination issues, strengthen capacity of legal aid centers to provide pro bono legal counseling and support for people with HIV to claim their employment rights.

Project objectives

- Assist Chinese government and civil society partners to strengthen the implementation of policies that are in place to protect the employment rights of people living with HIV;
- Review policy documents and identify discriminatory policies and explore possibilities for policy change;
- Raise awareness of employment rights among PLHIV groups and other grassroot community based organization; and
- Strengthen legal aid services to support PLHIV and other vulnerable groups to protect employment rights.

Coverage

Both Yunnan Province and at the national level.

For further information please contact:

Ms Wu Rulian
Programme Officer
ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia
Tel: +86 10 6532 5091