Good Practices in Labour Inspection on HIV and AIDS

This publication, which was prepared jointly by the LAB/ADMIN and the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS), is intended as a tool for labour inspectors, workers and employers to improve their understanding about the linkages between labour inspection and HIV and AIDS.

Instructional material | 17 September 2012
The HIV epidemic remains a significant challenge to health, development and economic progress worldwide, particularly in those countries most affected by the virus. HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain widespread, leading to violations of fundamental rights at work, including denial of access to employment and unfair dismissal. Fear, stigma and discrimination against those living with or affected by HIV also impede effective prevention and treatment efforts.

At its 99th Session in June 2010, the International Labour Conference adopted the ILO Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200) along with a resolution to promote its implementation. The Recommendation emphasizes the important role of labour administrations and labour inspectors in promoting and implementing the key principles of the Recommendation in and through the world of work.

Subsequently, at its 100th Session in June 2011, the International Labour Conference approved a Resolution and a set of Conclusions on labour administration and labour inspection. Among the various Conclusions, the International Labour Office was requested to develop a data-base, accessible through the ILO website, on best practices in labour administration and inspection.

As a result of this request, the ILO’s Labour Administration and Inspection Programme (LAB/ADMIN) has launched a series of publications collecting good practices on a variety of themes and economic sectors. This publication marks the first time that a set of good practices on labour inspection with respect to HIV and AIDS has been assembled. The hope is that it will give readers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with HIV and AIDS issues in the world of work, the relevance of these issues to labour inspection, and the different labour inspection procedures and practices that have been used to address this subject.