Employer-worker collaboration on HIV/AIDS

Employers’ and workers’ organizations join forces to fight HIV/AIDS.

On 12-13 May 2003, the ILO hosted the UN Global Compact Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS - PDF 513K at its Geneva headquarters. During this event, the Secretaries General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) issued a historic joint statement committing their organizations and their members to collaborative action on HIV/AIDS at all levels, especially in the workplace.

Fighting HIV/AIDS together English - PDF 111K Français - PDF 116K Español - PDF 117K is a statement of principle, as well as a declaration of commitment that clearly demonstrates one of the key principles of the ILO Code of Practice - social dialogue - being applied practically and effectively.

At regional level, a similar agreement was signed in September by ICFTU-AFRO and the Pan-African Employers’ Confederation. This was warmly welcomed at the Xth Session of the ILO African Regional Meeting, in December, and noted in the Resolution on the role of Social Dialogue English - PDF 117K Français - PDF 109K in addressing HIV/AIDS in the World of Work.

The Resolution requested the ILO to step up action on HIV/AIDS throughout the Organization, and particularly requested support for the launch of the IOE-ICFTU National Action Plans on HIV/AIDS. Joint workplace programmes will be piloted in eight African countries. A meeting will be held at the ILO in Geneva on 30 and 31 March to work out the details of the Action Plans and other steps that need to be taken to give effect to the Resolution.

Antonio Peñalosa (left) and Guy Ryder shake hands after signing the historic document committing their respective organizations, the IOE and ICFTU, to cooperating in the fight against HIV/AIDS. On the 30 and 31 March 2004, a meeting was held in Geneva to launch the IOE-ICFTU Joint Action Plans in Africa. For more information, see the Report in English or Français. < Back to Step 3