HIV/AIDS workplace education programme launched in Russia (International Labour Organization News)
Published: 17.09.2004 |
Moscow (ILO News) – In Russia the growth rate of
identifiable HIV cases is now one of the world’s
fastest: in 2003 the HIV incidence increased
almost 40 times as compared to 1997. If such
growth continues, the country’s working population
may decrease by 1.1 million in 2015, and by 2.1
million in 2050.
New three-year ILO/US Department of Labour
project, launched in Moscow today, aims to
contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the
world of work, the enhancement of workplace
protection and the reduction of its adverse
consequences on social, labour and economic
development.
In the Moscow and Murmansk regions a number pilot
enterprises from different sectors will be
assisted in developing non-discriminatory HIV/AIDS
policies. Their workers will be motivated to
change their behavior in order to decrease the
risk of HIV infection, and not to stigmatize
workers living with HIV/AIDS. This new policy and
behavior change education model, adapted to the
specific conditions of Russia, may in the future
be replicated in other regions of the country, as
well as in other CIS states.
Speaking at the launch, Maxim Topilin, Head of the
Federal Labour and Employment Service, noted that
“our main objective is awareness raising and
teaching tolerance to persons living with
HIV/AIDS. Our collaboration with the social
partners is a guarantee of the project success”.
The social partners expressed their full support
to the new project. Mikhail Shmakov, Chairman of
the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of
Russia, particularly underlined the role of
prevention. Oleg Eremeev, Chairman of the
Coordinating Council of Employers’ Unions, assured
that the employers will make their contribution to
the project activities.
“Workers need to have the necessary knowledge to
make the right choices and avoid infection.
Workers must also feel confident that they will
not face discrimination in the workplace when they
undergo an HIV test. Voluntary testing represents
a vital link in any HIV/AIDS prevention
strategy, but workers will not want to take a
voluntary test unless they know they can keep
their job and, if necessary, get treatment”, said
the United States Ambassador to the Russian
Federation Alexander R. Vershbow.
“We see this launch of the ILO/USDOL project as
another opportunity for us to work together with
our tripartite constituents to support the
national efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Russia. The
successful implementation of this project will
lead to the creation of a sustainable capacity to
implement workplace HIV/AIDS policies and
programmes in key sectors of the economy”, said
Franklyn Lisk, Director of ILO Programme on
HIV/AIDS and World of Work.
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