Aiming to foster a safe and supportive environment for HIV-positive individuals in the workplace, the Health Ministry’s National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) has embarked on an active effort to update the current national Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Workplace Policy.
NAPS in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Labour Ministry, hosted a consultation on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown during which they began discussions on the pre-existing policy and how best to adjust it.
Deputy Resident Representative to Guyana attached to the UNDP, Stephanie Ziebell
Given the level of discrimination persons living with HIV have long faced, particularly in cases of their employment, Guyana’s HIV/AID policy was developed in 2009 to protect them against harassment or victimisation within the workplace.
NAPS Programme Manager Dr. Tariq Jagnarine indicated that there is a need to emphasise education and awareness within organisations for increased knowledge and eradicate stigma and discrimination from within work settings.
“Our workplace must become centres of knowledge equally with incubation not only on HIV prevention, transmitting and treatment but other health related issues such as mental health, chronic diseases and current issues in our societies. By fostering a culture of understanding, we can disparage misconception and most importantly eradicate stigma and discrimination from organisations,” Dr. Jagnarine said, according to a Health Ministry press release.
He added that comprehensive workplace policies that cater for the prevention, treatment care and support for employees affected by HIV/AIDs illnesses must be developed to address issues such as confidentiality, non-discrimination, access to health care and reasonable accommodation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Resident Representative to Guyana, attached to the UNDP, Stephanie Ziebell, reiterated the UNDP’s openness to partnering with the Health Ministry to continue on this mission of providing necessary services to eradicate the stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.
She added that the consultation of this policy is expected to establish fair and equal treatment for these persons along with enhanced working conditions.
“It is envisioned that the policy will contribute to the inclusion of fair and equal treatment and better conditions in workplaces across the country,” Ziebell said.
This updated policy is to include guidelines from the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026.
Reportedly, similar consultations will continue within private and public sector workplaces until September, after which employers will be informed of the updated policies and relevant personnel will have the opportunity to make recommendations before the report is officially sent to the Labour Ministry.
The Labour Ministry is responsible for ensuring that these policies are adhered to.
Also present at Thursday’s consultation were Occupational Safety and Health Officer attached to the Ministry of Labour Zeza King; Food Bank Manager attached to NAPS Nazim Hussain; Social Services Coordinator Nafeeza Ally; Consultant Gina Arjoon; Senior M&E Officer attached to NAPS Murvin Chalmers and other staff from the Health and Labour Ministries, the Guyana Police and Prison services, and the UNDP.
