Fighting HIV/AIDS
Hospersa is committed to minimising the harsh impacts of HIV and AIDS in every workplace and community and in our country, by helping to keep people healthy and productive, in jobs that are decent, under conditions that are fair, regardless of HIV infection.
HOSPERSA PLAYS AN ACTIVE AND DETERMINED ROLE IN REDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS, IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
- Effecting its national HIV and AIDS policy that applies to members of the union as well as to those employed by Hospersa.
- Coordinating and guiding the activities of its national HIV and AIDS committee, to assist workers with programs for the prevention, treatment, care and support of Hospersa members at workplace level.
- Coordinating education and training programs for members regarding their rights to worker friendly HIV and AIDS policies and comprehensive HIV and AIDS workplace programs.
- An active program towards improved occupational health and safety measures and to emphasise the reduction of occupational HIV transmission. Hospersa also endeavours to minimise stressful work environments for all workers who are either INFECTED or AFFECTED by HIVand AIDS.
- Active partnerships and lobbying for improved public health and social services in our country and to specifically ensure an appropriate response to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS.
- Encouraging workers to seek voluntary counselling and testing programs, and to reduce the stigma with publicity campaigns and media interventions.
- Monitoring and ensuring access of workers to decent working conditions that are in accordance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Code of Good Practice on HIV and various labour legislations that protect the right to fair labour practice regardless of one's HIV status.
- Demonstrating social responsibility toward community organisations by including them in union training programs that are focussed on HIVand AIDS training, as well as assisting in the development of their workplace HIV policies.
