The ‘Goddard to Jones Initiative’, as it could be described, solidly backed by the Ministries of Health and Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the trade union movement and hundreds of foot soldiers, led to the recent introduction of a National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy here.

It is to be implemented immediately by at least 42 workplace groups, who have already signed on to the programme.

Attended by stakeholders, the ceremony took place at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel and, among the distinguished gathering, were current U.S. Ambassador, Mr. John Jones; Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and International Labour Organisation/U.S. Department of Labour representative, Mr. Sean Wilson.

The idea of developing the documentation was first mooted by Goddard in 2002 and, having developed it for use at the embassy in Georgetown, the diplomat briefed those assembled on the importance of it, in light of the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on workplaces.

Goddard distributed copies to the media and encouraged local organisations to seriously consider producing their own.

The task having been accomplished provides the framework for a coordinated and comprehensive workplace response to HIV/AIDS locally and will also serve as a guide to help ensure that workers living with or affected by the disease can remain productive in their places of employment and not be stigmatised or discriminated against, Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir observed.

He said the documenting was totally funded by the ILO, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Labour/Government of Guyana Workplace Intervention Programme.

Financed
In addition, the ILO/USDOL financed the acquisition of software for buildings inspection, which will shortly be available to all Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officers within the Ministry of Labour, who will be tracking, specifically, entities that have HIV/AIDS programmes.

The officers will be charged with the responsibility of promoting and monitoring the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy.

Crafted by the tripartite partners, the blueprint addresses, among other things, scope, legal framework, policy principles, employers, employees and trade unions’ responsibilities, impact assessment of HIV/AIDS at the workplace and its enforcement.

The tripartite committee comprised representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the Private Sector and the Trades Union Movement.

They were represented at the function by Nadir; Chairman of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI), Mr. Yesu Persaud: President of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ms. Gillian Burton and President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Mr. Carvil Duncan.

Nadir congratulated the stakeholders, specially acknowledging Ramsammy for his major role in the process and expressed gratitude to the ILO and U.S.DOL for their generous contributions.

Ambassador Jones commended those at the core of the crafting on a job well done and exhorted them to continue their ambitious programme.

He told them that, when they embark upon undertakings of such a nature, they are doing it for the preservation of the nation.

Jones advised the monitoring officers that, once the infection starts, they will have to work with the employees and their families and he hoped they will be successful in moving forward.

He mentioned Swaziland, where 50 per cent of the female population is HIV-infected and the 15 to 49 years age group of the overall total is literally obliterated, pointing out that workplace groups have an important part to play.

Jones said the officials need to make people aware that HIV is a dangerous virus and admonished them to keep the flame alive.

“Guyana has the potential to become a Swaziland if you and the organisations you represent ignore this problem,” he warned.