PHA CAN WORK IN COMPANY WITHOUT WORRY TO BE FIRED

[Andryansyah Arifin]

One of the workers of a botling company at Surabaya was detected as HIV positive two years ago. Soon after the case detected an Executive briefing was initiated by NGO, Mulia Abadi Foundation in collaboration with human and resource development of that company. During the briefing, basic information of HIV/AIDS, the ILO code, national as well as regional regulation regarding HIV/AIDS had been discussed.
The result of the briefing was to set up company's policy and to develop an HIV/AIDS program in workplace. To implement the policy, a training of the company's core team was conducted. This team made a one year plan of action which consists of basic information about HIV/AIDS by using several kinds of media such are posters, leaflet, face to face information, and testimony of PHA in from of groups of worker as well as peer educator training. As a result of those activities, the PHA still can work in that company until now.
But, there are still many cases of stigma and discrimination of PHA, particularly in family and community, which became primary barrier for PHA to disclose their status. Therefore we must do our best to build acknowledgement and recognition using ACP for every body (including medical , paramedical staffs, high risk groups, religious leader, women and youth organization, ) at any moment and at any place (including workplace). We must spread out that HIV/AIDS is like any common illness, PHA can live as normal as other people

[Ye Win]

Thanks Adnry,
I got very good approach and experiences from u.

[Laurence Gilliot]

Dear Andry,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Our working community is also a community. And most of us spend a lot of time at the workplace... It is key to own the issue of HIV as a supportive working community.
I know that many companies and institutions in Kenya have used the AIDS Competence Process. You can contact April Foster for more information.

Take care

Laurence