adminworkplace by 2015.
ILO director-general, Guy Ryder, and UNAids executive director, Michel Sidibé, will launch the initiative called VCT@WORK soon.
ILO said in a statement that VCT@WORK is a contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goal number six on combating HIV and Aids, malaria and other diseases.
“This includes the target of ensuring access to treatment for 15 million people living with HIV by 2015, as set out in the 2011 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and Aids,” said ILO.
According to UNAids, it is estimated that seven million people are eligible for treatment, but are not accessing it. The majority of them do not know their HIV status.
“The workplace is an ideal entry point to generate a demand for, and increased access to, testing and treatment,” said ILO.
The ILO said while standing firmly by the principle that there should be no HIV screening for employment purposes.
“The ILO’s VCT@WORK initiative re-energises voluntary testing and emphasises the right of workers to know their status and access treatment when needed. The ILO’s employer and worker social partners will play a key role as agents of change to normalise and demystify HIV testing in the implementation of the initiative at the country level.”
The launch of the initiative will take place during the ILO Labour conference in Geneva, which brings together around 5 000 delegates representing governments, employers and workers from the ILO’s 185 member states.
Zimbabwe is also a member and is represented by a high powered delegation led by Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
Issues to be discussed at the conference include social protection in an ageing world, sustainable development and social dialogue.
Online Reporter