Dear Editor,
HIV/AIDS is surely the most central subject in the agenda of all the various groups represented in Guyana today. It is a concern that transcends all boundaries and it is continuing its deadly march around the world. Permit me to startle us for a minute with some statistics for the figures are haunting, almost paralysing. The most recent figures, according to UNAIDS, on trends in HIV/AIDS globally show that the epidemic is out-pacing action: According to UNAIDS report, “Accurate statistics (in the Carib-bean) are difficult to come by as the quality of the surveillance and monitoring system varies highly across the region. This makes it quite possible that the seriousness of this epidemic may be escaping attention. Trade unions and their membership have recognized this reality and begun to address HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue. Trade Unions will now have secure provisions in their collective bargaining agreements and workplace policies governing peer education, prevention, non-discrimination, treatment and medical care. It is essential that unions start their work in these fields to create awareness among workers of the danger of transmission- a danger still barely understood in many parts of the world- and to develop the best possible levels of financial security, treatment and care for workers affected by the disease.
International institutions and leaders are aware that they have not acted decisively to defeat the pandemic up to now. In December 2003 the WHO launched an initiative to provide anti-AIDS drugs to three million people in poor countries by the end of 2005. However, it appears that even this humble target, now dubbed the “3 by 5” initiative will be missed. Dr Jim Yong Kim, Director of HIV/AIDS at WHO said: “We are moving in the right direction, but too slowly.”
Two out of three new infections are in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the number of cases in China, India, Indonesia and Russia is rising dramatically. With little media attention focused on the crisis, populations may be left with the impression that they are witnessing some sort of natural disaster unfolding, as though HIV transmission were a random event. In reality of course, the virus is profoundly influenced by social, economic and political factors, which urgently need to be tackled. As Kofi Annan rightly emphasized on one occasion “AIDS is far more than a health crisis.” However, even more disturbing, is the fact that the Caribbean holds the record of having the second highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, second only to Sub-Saharan Africa.
We have all accepted the fact that human resources are our most important factor of production in Guyana and that improving the productivity of our factors of production is the key to improving competitiveness. This is an era of globalization, where we have no choice but to improve our country’s competitiveness through improved productivity. We are left with no choice but to develop and protect our human resources.
Regrettably, the vast majority of persons dying from AIDS are concentrated among the prime age adults who are usually at the peak of their economic productivity and are often heads of families and sole bread winners.
An issue for workers: ILO estimates that at the moment 37 million workers in their productive prime are infected with HIV. It has also calculated that the size of the labour force in high prevalence countries will be between 10% and 30% smaller by 2020 than it would have been without HIV/AIDS. It is evident that this epidemic prevents persons from making their full contribution to economic development directly, by reducing the stock of persons in the labour force, and by preventing persons from productively participating in the labour force.
However, the ripple effect of this epidemic is magnified disturbing the smooth functioning of both the economic and social systems of our country.
When we lose labour, especially those with scarce skills and those with specialized professional and managerial skills, we erode our capacity for economic growth and development. We also reduce our teachers, our trainers and our future parents thus drastically reducing our life expectancy.
As a consequence, one of the most critical issues to be faced, if HIV/AIDS is not addressed now, is the issue of sustaining the long-term productive capacity and economic sustainability of our country and the Caribbean as a whole. In Guyana, we have political capital. The President of Guyana himself is driving the fight against HIV/AIDS. Using these stepping stones and available best practices as a guide, the government, in its efforts to address the epidemic has prepared, in consultation with its stakeholders, a National Strategic plan for HIV/AIDS, the implementation of which is expected to cost over 500 million US dollars. To ensure that the plan is implemented the government has plans for the establishment and launch of a National AIDS coordinating Committee (NAAC). The committee, which will be under the office of the President, will co-ordinate and monitor the several existing and expanded responses to the HIV/AIDS problem in Guyana. In addition to prevention, care and support, some of the other priority areas included for implementation in the plan are surveillance, research and advocacy and human rights. The Guyana Government is also actively attempting to mobilize funding to implement the strategic plan and have had success with the World Bank, CIDA, UNICEF, UNFRA-OPEC Fund and GFATM. However, I don’t believe that any government has sufficient resources on its own to be able to fight and win this battle. Therefore, there must be partnership between labour, business and communities, at the local, regional and international levels.
The Ministry of Labour and small micro enterprise developments have also recognized that HIV/AIDS is a critical workplace issue since it affects fundamental rights at work, particularly with respect by HIV/AIDS. The Ministry has also recognized that, in order to banish the stigma and discrimination, workplace programmes, to a great extent, depend on the presence of a supportive legal and policy framework. Once enacted, this legislation would provide protection for persons affected with HIV/AIDS from discrimination by employers, co-workers, unions, employees or clients. It would also prevent an employer from screening or testing an employee for HIV/AIDS, in circumstances where it is nor relevant to his/her duties. Further, it would prevent the termination of employment of persons affected with HIV/AIDS if they are medically fit and able to work. Governments across the Caribbean are taking action but cannot overcome this epidemic alone. I would like to urge that unions take on a key role in this struggle. The workplace presents a huge opportunity for furthering the fight against HIV/AIDS. Workplaces are ideal places for learning and they are platforms for reaching the age group most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection (15-44)
I also suggest that workers and their representatives consult emp-loyers on the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS workplace policies designed to maintain confidentiality. Unions also have a unique opportunity to provide for HIV/AIDS issues in collective agreements. We can also play a part in educating our representatives as well as creating a general awareness of workers rights with respect to HIV/AIDS.
Yours faithfully,
Sherwood Clarke
CCWU HIV/AIDS
Co-ordinator