Strengthening the Capacity of ILO Constituents and Stakeholders including PLWHA to expand World of Work Response to HIV and AIDS

To contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the world of work by strengthening the capacity of the tripartite partners and other relevant key actors.


Background

Building inter-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS is one of the key components of the National AIDS Control Programme in India. HIV/AIDS has become a major threat to employment objectives and labour market efficiency. The loss of workers and work-days due to AIDS-related illnesses or the demands of caring can result in significant declines in productivity, loss of earning and attrition in skill and experience. HIV/AIDS changesthe age and sex distribution of the labour force, and increasing the number of women, children and the elderly facing economic uncertainty. Estimates indicate that nearly 90% of HIV infections in India are concentrated in the 15 to 49 years age group, meaning individuals in the prime of their working lives. India has a work force of nearly 400 million, 93% of which is in the informal sector, and hence more vulnerable HIV/AIDS. Therefore, if the spread of the infection is not arrested it is certain to give rise to major implications for the world of work. These problems may include: loss of labour; loss of income; increased costs including high treatment costs; increased costs to industry in terms of sick leave, absenteeism, medical insurance, replacement and training; death-related costs; shortage of skilled labour; as well as adverse effects on output and productivity. These naturally affect individual households, workers, employers, industry, the consumer markets, social security, pension schemes and the economy as a whole. Considering the potential of expanding the world of work response to HIV/AIDS in India, it was suggested that the ILO should intensify efforts to generate additional resources to expand the work.

Objectives

To contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the world of work by strengthening the capacity of the tripartite partners and other relevant key actors.

Strategy

The overall strategy was to increase the capacity of key actors in the world of work (the government, and employers' and workers' organizations) and associated civil society organizations to design and implement workplace HIV/AIDS prevention policies and programmes. The strategy built on the comparative advantage of the ILO's networks, experiences and materials, including the ILO's Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work.