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HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS crisis and its impact worldwide is a priority international issue for UNISON. HIV/AIDS is a key workplace issue as a large proportion of those HIV positive are aged between 15 and 49, in the prime of their working lives. People with HIV/AIDS are also discriminated against. Not only does this threaten fundamental principles and rights at work, it also undermines efforts for prevention and care.

Tackling HIV/AIDS logo

HIV/AIDS

To date 22 million people have died from AIDS and 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, of which about 30 million are in Africa.

In the poorest countries the HIV/AIDS epidemic has led not only to huge loss of life but also to:

  • a shortage of labour
  • the loss of skills and experience
  • huge pressure on the already fragile health services as cope with the demand for care and treatment
  • a reduction in average national economic growth by 1-2 per cent
  • falling life expectancy - eg by 15 years in Africa.

    Trade unions and HIV/AIDS

    Trade unions must play a fundamental role in tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis for two reasons.

    Firstly, HIV/AIDS is having a devastating impact on workers and the industries in which they work.

    Secondly, trade unions are in an excellent position to get essential information about HIV and AIDS directly to a key section of the working population, through national, regional and branch structures.

    UNISON and the HIV/AIDS problem

    There are four main areas where HIV/AIDS is particularly relevant to UNISON:

    1. UNISON is a public sector union Ð HIV/AIDS is an issue of critical importance to public sector workers and the public sector around the world.

    2. UNISON has a majority of women members Ð the impact of HIV/AIDS on women is a matter of serious concern to UNISON.

    3. UNISON is a strong advocate of work place and human rights Ð we want to ensure that workers with HIV/AIDS around the world are treated justly and with compassion by their employers and society in general.

    4. UNISON's longstanding solidarity with many trade unions in southern Africa Ð we have a responsibility to continue support to UNISONÕs sister unions in southern Africa to tackle HIV/AIDS.

    UNISON's current work on HIV/AIDS

    Since 2004 UNISON has been developing an HIV/AIDS programme in Southern Africa.

    In December 2004 UNISON organised a regional seminar in Johannesburg, South Africa, with over 70 trade unionists participating from 13 different southern African countries. It provided a first opportunity for public sector trade unionists to share best practice among sister trade unions. The seminar was organised with support from Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) and in collaboration with Public Services International.

    UNISON is now developing more specific HIV/AIDS projects with a number of public sector unions in southern Africa.

    UNISON has worked jointly on lobbying and campaigning with UK-based non- government organisation, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) and with the National Unions of Students, particularly on the funding crisis of the UN Global Fund for AIDS, TB and malaria.

    UNISON is a member of the Stop Aids Campaign, the UK campaigning organisation under the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development.

    Link to an external websiteAction for Southern Africa (ACTSA)

    Link to an external websiteStop Aids Campaign

    Link to an external websiteUK Consortium on AIDS and International Development

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    1 Mabledon Place
    London WC1H 9AJ
    Email: IRelations@unison.co.uk
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    Newsletter
    UNISON
    International newsletter spring 2008
    Link to a PDF document on this siteinternational newsletter spring 2008
    Link to a word document on this siteinternational newsletter spring 2008
    Public Sector Unions Fighting against AIDS in southern Africa
    Link to an external websiteNewsletters
    Public Services International (PSI)
    Link to an external websitePSI World News

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