IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON THE WORLD OF WORK Dr. Benjamin O. Alli ILO/AIDS, GENEVA

 AIDS has a profound impact on workers and their families, enterprises and national economies. It is a workplace issue and a development challenge.  Juan Somavia

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION WORLDWIDE Labour force losses The ILO projects that by the year 2020, the labour will be substantially smaller as a result of the epidemic than it would have been otherwise.

Global Estimates of the AIDS Epidemic (December 2005)* Number of people living with HIV in 2005: 40.3 million (range: 36.7-45.3 million) People newly infected with HIV in 2005: 4.9 million (range: 4.3-6.6 million) AIDS deaths in 2005: 3.1 million (range: 2.8-3.6 million) *Source: UNAIDS and WHO, AIDS Epidemic Update (December 2005)

A WORKPLACE ISSUE At least 40 million people in the world 10 20 30 40 At least 40 million people in the world are infected with HIV - 25 million are workers. (UNAIDS/WHO Report-2005)

A WORKPLACE ISSUE By 2020, the work force in 29 African countries will be over 12% smaller as a result of AIDS.

A WORKPLACE ISSUE falling productivity and rising costs due to AIDS. Enterprises in Africa and Asia report

A Workplace Issue The impact on enterprises Loss of skills and experience Reduced supply of labour The impact on enterprises Rising labour costs Falling productivity Reduced profit and investment

A Workplace Issue Loss of income and employee benefits The impact on workers Stigma and discrimination Stress on employees and families

HIV/AIDS: A THREAT TO DECENT WORK AND ILO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Threat to the primary goal of ILO: “To provide opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity” Threat to ILO’s legitimate and essential concerns in each of the strategic objectives of the Organization: Workers’ rights Employment promotion Social protection Social dialogue

HOW HIV/AIDS AFFECT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (1) Reduced supply of labour; Loss of skilled and experienced workers; Absenteeism and early retirement; Stigmatisation of and discrimination against workers with HIV; Increased labour costs for employers from health insurance to retraining; Reduced productivity, contracting tax base and negative impact on economic growth;

HOW HIV/AIDS AFFECT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (2) Investment discouraged and enterprise development undermined; Social protection systems and enterprises development undermined; Loss of family income and household productivity, exacerbating poverty; Increase in female-headed households; Early entry of children into active employment; The problem of child labour and poverty is exacerbated; Pressure on girls and women to survive through sexual favours.

PROMOTION AND REALIZATION OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTS AIDS affect fundamental rights at work and in society as a whole. Discrimination on the basis of HIV/AIDS worsens existing inequalities in society. AIDS-related discrimination may include screening for purposes of exclusion from work or promotion or breaches of confidentialities. The fundamental rights of non-discrimination is a core principle of the ILO which can be used to protect the rights and dignity of workers and their families from violation based on their known or presumed HIV status.

The size of the labour force in high-prevalence countries CREATION OF GREATER EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN & MEN (1) The size of the labour force in high-prevalence countries 10 and 30% smaller by 2020 The quality of labour: experience and skills are lost, difficulty in finding qualified managers and skilled workers, long time to train newly recruited workers Absenteeism: funerals, caring for the sick, or illness; Decrease in productivity and profitability; Undermines the institutions that could replace the lost skills; Undermines the nation’s capacity to manage change.

CREATION OF GREATER EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN & MEN (2) Informal Sector: Operators in the informal economy are particularly vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, both in terms of susceptibility and impact of the epidemic. The precarious nature of informal employment, the lack of social protection and limited access to health services also worsen the impact of the epidemic for individual workers.

STRENGTHENING SOCIAL PROTECTION AND SOCIAL SECURITY The HIV/AIDS epidemic: Has a severe impact on social security systems; Puts increased pressure on governments; Increases social expenditures (health care costs, pensions, sickness benefits and social assistances); Is contracting the contributory base of the system, the working age populations; Highlights the inadequate nature of existing social protection systems in affected countries, (Many people infected with HIV have no social security coverage)

STRENGTHENING SOCIAL DIALOGUE HIV/AIDS has direct impact on the activities of workers, employers and governments, the ILO’s traditional constituents, as well as civil society at large. Its structure reflects the conviction that the best solutions arise through social dialogue in its many forms and levels, from national tripartite consultations and cooperation to plant level collective bargaining. Unions, employers and governments are losing effective staff who would otherwise contribute to this process. The epidemic is fostering a climate of suspicion, fear and mistrust between the social partners.

THE ILO’s RESPONSE

WHAT DOES THE ILO HAVE TO OFFER? Its tripartite structure A central presence at the workplace A century of experience in guiding laws and framing standards to protect the rights of workers and improve their working conditions Regional and national offices across the world Special expertise in many relevant sectors, from occupational safety and health to social security A well established record of research, information-dissemination and technical cooperation

THE ILO GLOBAL PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS AND THE WORLD OF WORK Respond to the ILC Resolution concerning HIV/AIDS and the world of work (88th session, June 2000) MAIN OBJECTIVES The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of the ILO’s tripartite constituents to implement policies and programme to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, protect the epidemic in the world of work

PRIORITY AREAS Improving knowledge and understanding of the economic, labour force and social consequences of HIV/AIDS; Pursuing advocacy at all levels and raising awareness of the urgency of the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS and its implications for workers’ rights and enterprises; Guiding national action programmes on HIV/AIDS, ensuring that they include the world of work and oppose discrimination, and advising on the reform of labour legislation;

PRIORITY AREAS Strengthening the capacity of employers’ and workers’ organizations, and mobilizing their contacts and resources, for education and prevention, care and support, and action against discrimination; Applying the specialist expertise of the ILO’s sectoral and technical cooperation programmes to particular workplace needs, especially in training, social protection, safety and health at work.

ILO Global Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work THANK YOU ILO Global Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work www.ilo.org/aids