The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has applauded and welcomes the progressive and bold political declaration, recently adopted by the United Nations (UN) members states to end AIDS.
UN Member States have adopted the new political declaration at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS
The Chief of ILOAIDS, Alice Ouédraogo, said “This declaration recognises the importance of workplace initiative in the AIDS response. It highlights the role of employers, unions and governments in protecting workers from discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS in line with the ILO conventions, particularly the Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200).”
The Declaration adopts a rights-based approach and calls for ending HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination in all settings including workplaces.
The Declaration in its para 63(d) states, “Underscore the need to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on workers, and their families, and their dependants, workplaces and economies, including by taking into account all relevant conventions of the International Labour Organisation, as well as the guidance provided by the relevant International Labour Organisation recommendations, including the Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200), and call upon employers, trade and labour unions, employees and volunteers to take measures to eliminate stigma and discrimination, protect, promote and respect human rights and facilitate access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.”
The Political Declaration includes a set of specific, time-bound targets that must be reached by 2020 to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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