UN adopts global labour standard on HIV/AIDS

New York, 18 Jun-(ANA)-Governments, employers and workers meeting at the annual conference of the United Nations International Labour Organization have adopted a new international standard on HIV and AIDS – the first international human rights instrument to focus specifically on the pandemic as a workplace issue.Among its provisions, the new stresses that measures to address HIV and AIDS in the workplace should be part of national development policies and programmes. It rejects discrimination against workers, job-seekers and applicants on the grounds of real or perceived 

HIV status, and accords “fundamental priority” to preventing all modes of HIV transmission.

 The standard states that workers, their families and their dependents should enjoy protection of their privacy, including confidentiality related to HIV and AIDS, and that no workers should be required to undertake an HIV test or disclose their HIV status. 

The workplace is expected to facilitate the access,by workers, their families and dependants, to prevention, treatment, care and support.(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 June 2010---------