Workplace HIV programs offer simple low cost solutions for enterprises to avoid potential HIV and AIDS related losses and strengthen corporate social responsibility initiatives.

HIV Prevention in the Workplace

HIV has had a major impact on business performance worldwide can increase rates of absenteeism, medical expenses and recruitment costs.

Of the 33.2 million people with HIV/AIDS worldwide, 25 million are workers.  Inthe Asia Pacific, 9 out of 10 people with HIV are in their productive working age.
 
HIV in China
China is facing a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic with an estimated 700,000 cases.  While the bulk of cases were first found among rural blood donors and injecting drug users, sexual transmission is becoming a primary mode of infection and is increasingly damaging the health and productivity of the working population.

Strong Government Support for HIV Workplace Programs

The Chinese government strongly supports workplace HIV programs. In its five-year

action plan on HIV/AIDS, the government calls on state and privately owned enterprises to establish prevention programs.  A 2006 State Council Regulation on HIV/AIDS also protects the employment rights of workers with HIV and guarantees heir confidentiality.
 
The Program

The ILO is working with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the China Enterprise Confederation to assist enterprises to develop policies and programs on HIV and AIDS.

The ILO program and its partners provide training, on-going technical assistance and communication materials to participating enterprises.  The primary responsibility of enterprises is to integrate HIV/AIDS programs into existing communication systems and provide information to workers on where they can benefit from government and community services for HIV counseling, testing and treatment.