ILO launches new initiative to reach 5 million workers with voluntary HIV testing by 2015

ILO Director-General and UNAIDS Executive Director launch new programme on voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing to reach 5 million workers world-wide.

Geneva – The International Labour Organization (ILO), supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), has launched an initiative to reach 5 million workers with Voluntary and confidential HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT@WORK) by 2015.

The initiative will ensure that people who test positive are referred to HIV services for care and support, and treatment if needed.

“We want to use the mobilizing power of the ILO to encourage 5 million working women and men to undertake voluntary HIV testing by 2015,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. He called upon all ministries of labour, employers’ and workers’ organizations to join forces and turn this target into reality. “The countdown to 2015 has begun – let us make each day count!” he added.

The rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy in recent years has allowed 8 million people living with HIV to access treatment – enabling them to live longer, healthier and more productive lives and remain part of the workforce. However, according to UNAIDS, it is estimated that 7 million people currently eligible for treatment are not accessing it. Furthermore, it is estimated that around 40% of people living with HIV globally, do not know their status, thus preventing them from accessing treatment. In many countries, this figure is higher than 50%.

“If workplaces embrace this new initiative it could signify one of the most important advances we’ve seen in expanding access to HIV testing within a healthy, enabling environment and linking to on-going support including treatment,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The VCT@WORK initiative, (voluntary counselling and testing) is part of the ILO’s efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goal 6 and the global target of reaching 15 million people living with HIV with lifesaving antiretroviral treatment by 2015, as set out in the 2011 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS . “To reach this goal we need to work together to ensure that all workplaces are free of stigma and discrimination,” the ILO Director-General said.

The VCT@WORK initiative builds on the ILO’s Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (No.200), to ensure safe and healthy working environments free of stigma and discrimination.

The ILO’s tripartite constituents, (governments, employers and workers), will strengthen existing partnerships to ensure access to testing and treatment for workers, their families and communities. They will be supported by the International Labour Office, the UN family, development partners, national AIDS programmes and networks of people living with HIV. India has already launched a national VCT@WORK programme, with South Africa and Tanzania expected to follow in the coming months.

The VCT@WORK initiative is a key element of the ILO’s “Getting to Zero at Work” campaign, which was jointly launched with UNAIDS and WHO on World AIDS Day 2012. The campaign has enlisted the support of a number of leaders within the UN system, the world of work, networks of people living with HIV and other stakeholders.

VCT@WORK was launched while about 5,000 delegates representing governments, employers and workers from the ILO’s 185 member States are gathering in Geneva for the International Labour Conference to discuss various world of work issues including employment and social protection in an ageing world, sustainable development and social dialogue.

The ILO Director-General and UNAIDS Executive Director were joined at the launch by Mr. Grégoire Owona, Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cameroon; Ms. Jacqueline Mugo, Executive Director of the Federation of Kenyan Employers; Mr. Luc Cortebeeck, President of the Confédération des Syndicats Chrétien; and Ms. Francoise Ndayishimiye, Senior Gender Advisor at UNAIDS, who spoke of the importance of confidential voluntary counselling and testing.

For more information, please contact: Adam Bowers, Communications Officer, ILO Geneva, +41 22 799 6126 UNAIDS Geneva | Sophie Barton-Knott | tel. +41 22 791 1697 | bartonknotts@unaids.org