International Labour Standards on HIV/AIDS

ILO HIV/AIDS human ribbon at the Palais des Nations. Geneva, 11 June 2010. Many children whose parents died of HIV/AIDS visit this primary school of the Kiwohede (Kiota Women AIDS prevention in a school in Saigon.

In a relatively short period, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS has become one the most critical workplace issues in our time. In addition to the epidemic’s devastating impact on these women and men and their families, it affects the world of work in many ways. For example, discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS threatens fundamental rights at work, undermining opportunities for people to obtain decent employment. Following consultations among governments, employers and workers, the ILO in 2001 adopted a Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work.

In June 2010 a new international labour standard on HIV and AIDS was adopted by delegates to the International Labour Conference - the first international human rights instrument to focus specifically on the issue in the world of work.

Relevant ILO instrument

  • HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)
    This standard is the first internationally sanctioned legal instrument aimed at strengthening the contribution of the world of work to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and contains provisions on potentially life-saving prevention programmes and anti-discrimination measures at national and workplace levels. It also emphasizes the importance of employment and income-generating activities for workers and people living with HIV, particularly in terms of continuing treatment.

Further Information