Why AIDS is a workplace issue

HIV/AIDS is a clear threat to people's lives in developing countries; some companies, in providing risky working conditions and reducing support for or discriminating against people with HIV/AIDS, are responsible for putting people at even greater risk.

Companies with large workforces, particularly in Africa, face rising costs and falling productivity because of HIV/AIDS. The disease threatens the growth of the private sector in many countries and its impact on business could be even greater. Companies need to devise policies and programmes that address prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS and their effects in the workplace, including antiretroviral therapy. The workplace is a good place to reach people at risk of contracting the virus and those already infected. Research by the International Labour Organisation shows that although many companies are taking action, there's still a lot to be done.

Individual workplace programmes alone cannot address the spread of HIV/AIDS. Nor can they manage the financial risk companies face. Take collective action: companies need to work together and with other groups in the public and voluntary sectors; they need to think about how they influence the areas where governments, communities and families can act to protect themselves. Institutional investors, who will not gain in the long run from companies merely managing risk rather than addressing its sources, may provide a new ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ultimately, government capacity in health and education needs strengthening and CSR initiatives have to support this.

Jessica Owens
(Consultant at the ILO),
International Labour Office,
4 Route des Morillons
CH-1211 Geneva 22
Switzerland

Views expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of DFID, IDS, id21 or other contributing institutions. Copyright remains with the original authors but (unless stated otherwise) any article may be copied or quoted without restriction, provided both source (id21, insights) and authors are properly acknowledged and informed. Copyright © 2004 id21. All rights reserved.