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GENEVA (ILO News) – Governments, employers and workers meeting at the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) today adopted a new international labour standard on HIV and AIDS - [pdf 1597 KB] - the first international human rights instrument to focus specifically on the issue in the world of work.

The standard is the first internationally sanctioned legal instrument aimed at strengthening the contribution of the world of work to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and contains provisions on potentially life-saving prevention programmes and anti-discrimination measures at national and workplace levels. It also emphasizes the importance of employment and income-generating activities for workers and people living with HIV, particularly in terms of continuing treatment.

Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work said that “with this new human rights instrument we can harness the strength of the world of work and optimise workplace interventions to significantly improve access to prevention, treatment, care and support. We cannot do it alone but this standard will, I believe, provide a major contribution to making the dream of an AIDS-free generation a reality.”

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Mine worker in Zambia

Geneva, 14 June 2010 –The Committee on HIV/AIDS and the world of work adopted its report today, together with the final text of the Recommendation on HIV/AIDS which will be submitted for adoption to the plenary session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) later this week. High-level engagement and consensus on the urgency to act prevailed during this second and final round of discussion for the formulation of the first international human rights instrument to focus on HIV/AIDS and the world of work.

Throughout the amendment process, committee members worked at formulating a recommendation all-inclusive in scope and as practical as possible. Universality of human rights, feasibility, efficiency, sustainability, and accountability were kept at the forefront of all discussions, spurred by a great sense of urgency to address the HIV pandemic.

The report and the recommendation adopted by the Committee will be presented on 16 June to the plenary session of the 99th international Labour Conference. The record vote will take place on 17 June. The proposed Recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work and the attached resolution will require a 2/3 majority vote to be adopted.

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