National HIV-AIDS Code launched

THE Ministry of Labour yesterday launched the National Code on HIV-AIDS and Employment.

Speaking on behalf of her Minister, Deputy Minister Rosalia Nghidinwa underlined that the “HIV-AIDS pandemic has serious socio-economic implications because of the loss in productivity as well as human rights implications due to discrimination and stigmatisation at the workplace”. Nghidinwa said the AIDS epidemic was killing the most productive members of Africa’s workforce.She said the loss of skilled workers and managers not only undermined productivity, but threatened the capacity of the nation to deliver goods and services for decades to come.Nghidinwa said the scale of infections meant that care and treatment were of vital concern, while the need for effective prevention remained crucial.”The loss of skilled and experienced workers causes productivity to fall just as business costs are increasing.Tax and investment are also affected,” she warned.She said the direct and indirect costs of HIV-AIDS had already caused an estimated two per cent to four per cent fall in Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa.Discrimination against people with HIV threatened fundamental principles and rights in workplaces, which undermined efforts for prevention and care, the Deputy Minister said.”We are aware that many enterprises have developed their own HIV-AIDS codes at workplaces, which is very commendable, but they just have to be in line with this National Code on HIV and Employment, which is applicable and compulsory for all workplaces,” Nghidinwa said.- NampaNghidinwa said the AIDS epidemic was killing the most productive members of Africa’s workforce.She said the loss of skilled workers and managers not only undermined productivity, but threatened the capacity of the nation to deliver goods and services for decades to come.Nghidinwa said the scale of infections meant that care and treatment were of vital concern, while the need for effective prevention remained crucial.”The loss of skilled and experienced workers causes productivity to fall just as business costs are increasing.Tax and investment are also affected,” she warned.She said the direct and indirect costs of HIV-AIDS had already caused an estimated two per cent to four per cent fall in Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa.Discrimination against people with HIV threatened fundamental principles and rights in workplaces, which undermined efforts for prevention and care, the Deputy Minister said.”We are aware that many enterprises have developed their own HIV-AIDS codes at workplaces, which is very commendable, but they just have to be in line with this National Code on HIV and Employment, which is applicable and compulsory for all workplaces,” Nghidinwa said.- Nampa