1. Presented by: Edna Bokaba (FEDUSA)
The Role of Organised Labour in Addressing HIV and AIDS INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) on 22 January 2009
Presented by:
Edna Bokaba (FEDUSA)

2. ORGANISED LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA
Comprises FEDUSA, COSATU and NACTU
Represents all the workers in NEDLAC
All three labour federations are represented on
SANAC, Provincial, Regional, Local and District AIDS Councils
Collaborate with UN Agencies, International and Local HIV and AIDS Organisations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), amongst others
Form partnerships with like-minded organisations in South Africa

3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Help to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on workers in particular and society at large
curb the spread of the virus and protect workers from becoming infected
Raise awareness around HIV and AIDS
Sensitise, educate and train all levels of workers, from leadership to shop-stewards and officials as well
Campaign; advocate and lobby for better treatment, workplace rights, and benefits
Negotiate at NEDLAC on all issues such as a Comprehensive Treatment Plan, Social Health Insurance for all workers, Social Grants - especially for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as child support grants
Critically monitor and evaluate government’s implementation of policies and programmes

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011IN
WORKPLACE HIV AND AIDS PROGRAMMES:
PRIORITY AREA 1: PREVENTION OF HIV AND AIDS:
PREVENTION Programme - offered extensive workplace trainings on:
Fundamentals of HIV and AIDS
HIV, AIDS and The Law
Behaviour Change Communication
Chief Negotiators HIV and AIDS Collective Bargaining Training and
Peer Education Training

5. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011
VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING
Adopted resolutions on:
“Know your HIV status”
Offered regional Training on VCT, and
Offered VCT Services at Training Workshop and at National Congresses

6. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011
PRIORITY AREA 2: TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT
TREATMENT:
referrals to local treatment sites
Provide training on treatment literacy
CARE AND SUPPORT:
Offer Home-based Care
Adoption of HIV and AIDS Orphanage in Orange Farm called Sibahle Children’s Home, and
Offered financial and other support on a monthly basis between 2003 and 2007

7. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (NSP) FOR 2007 - 2011
PRIORITY AREA 4: - HUMAN AND LEGAL RIGHTS
Policy- Adoption of HIV and AIDS Workplace Policies
Fight against stigma and discrimination in the workplace
Lobby around issues of HIV, AIDS and related issues
Advocate for better benefits for people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS
Engage in Public hearings on HIV and AIDS
Submission of Inputs into Parliamentary Processes
Defend dismissed workers – for HIV and AIDS related cases

8. CHALLENGES
Lack of resources to implement programmes, both human and financial
Insufficient time-off for trained officials and shop-stewards to capacitate other workers
HIV and AIDS still not prioritised
Non utilization by government of trained officials and shop stewards

9. SOUTH AFRICA’S PROGRESS
Statistics show a stabilisation, however it is difficult to prove
In different age groups there is an increase
An increase is evident in the older age group, but
The stats show a stabilisation in the youth, especially males

10. WAY FORWARD FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Learn how best we can improve on what we have been doing so far
Develop new strategies to deal with this virus
Learn from other countries who have had successes in curbing the spread of HIV

11. THANK YOU