Six years after an effort was initiated to get employers to implement
a policy on HIV and Aids in their workplace, today nine out of fourteen participating
companies signed policies cementing their support for their programme. Jacqueline
Godwin found out why this small step forward, is a giant leap for Aids awareness.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Today nine companies signed the policy that they will use to put their plan
of action into effect. The fact is it is the working age group that is being
most affected. That is why today’s signing by nine companies becomes very
significant to stop the spread of HIV and Aids and it also protects the rights
of those employees who may be infected or affected by the disease.
Rodel Beltran Perrera, Exec. Dir. - Alliance Against Aids
“That that person is treated properly, that they continue to receive
their salaries, they are able to continue to work in certain conditions if they
are put at risk depending on the job that they are doing, that companies respect
employees who are HIV+ as well as their families because the policy does also
touch on caring not only for the employee but also caring for the family member.”
The private companies and organizations who now have in place an HIV and Aids
workplace policy are the Belize Red Cross, the Angelus Press Limited, Sagicor,
Belize Ship Handlers, Belize Fruit Bomba Limited and Belize Fruit Packers Limited,
Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Natural Energy, the Radisson
Fort George and Grace Kennedy Belize Limited.
Alberto Young, General Manager - Grace Kennedy
“And we cannot afford to lose people by not participating or not educating
enough and I think that is crucial to our operations. We’ve been in Belize
27 years and it could not have been without people so its just natural that
we would support such a program.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What is expected of Grace Kennedy?
Alberto Young,
“Well it is expected that we don’t discriminate and that we
handle information confidentially. We are now more aware of how we handle such
cases and that we have a network of support and it happens through education
and it happens through non-discrimination because people with HIV/Aids can still
be functional and work and so on and so it is just how we handle it. I think
once their colleagues are aware of the policy then it is a matter of education 
and people accepting how we do things differently when it comes to HIV/Aids
in the workplace.”
The companies have had to undergo a series of training sessions to equip them
with the skills to implement the policy. One of the biggest signatories is the
Radisson Fort George with a total of one hundred and fifty employees.
Jim Scott, General Manager - Radisson Fort George Hotel
“I think it is very important in today’s society that we are
all aware, we take responsibility for what is happening with out personal health,
with our community health, and of course that comes right back to corporate
responsibility that all of us have within the context of our staff, our team,
our family, and of course our community. It will involve education, lifestyle
change, and of course counselling mechanisms to support an unbiasly and indiscriminately
to support understanding of HIV infection in our community and in our workplace.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Nine out of fourteen signed today. When you consider the number of companies
out there, that’s only a drop in the bucket but you are encouraged no
doubt.
Hertha Gentle Barber, Senior Labour Officer
“Definitely encouraged because this is nine out of fourteen today
but by the end of the month it will be all fourteen. We had some companies,
for example Courts, who weren’t able to sign today for different reasons
but by the end of the month they are going to be onboard. We have companies
for example like Scotia Bank which is an extremely large organization with branches
all over this country. They haven’t signed today because they are doing
something from an international level which will then trickle down to Scotia
Bank Belize. So it is a drop in the bucket but a couple drops is better than
none at all.”
Recent statistics reveal that the number of infections overall has levelled
off but the survey continues to show an increase of new infections in vulnerable
areas.
Rodel Beltran Perrera,
“For example vulnerable populations, young persons, women, men who
have sex with men, the epidemic is increasing in certain areas. So right now
our statistic is close to almost bordering 5,000 persons who have been infected
with HIV and Aids, nearing 5,000 please don’t get me with that. It is
nearing 5,000 of persons who have been infected since 1986.”
According to Rodel Beltran Perrera the Executive Director for Alliance Against
Aids in the past year they recorded four hundred and twenty five new HIV cases.
Rodel Beltran Perrera,
“It is showing a slight increase, that we’re seeing the average
per person per day newly infected is not one person per day anymore. It is an
average nearing 2, it is 1.8% so we’re seeing more cases on a daily basis
and that is of great concern to us. In vulnerable populations we are seeing
increases in the virus, the infection of the virus. Let’s not confuse
people. It is amongst certain populations that we are seeing an increase.”
Hertha Gentle Barber,
“You see how we are in a frenzy because of swine flu, we are not in
a frenzy because HIV. So what we’re trying to do is to give the attention
that HIV needs, that it is an issue and we need to deal with it and we believe
the workplace is the best place to do it.”
Rodel Beltran Perrera,
“I want to make a call to companies out there in the private sector,
find out about what this policy is, what are the benefits, what are the benefits
for you as an employer as well as what are the benefits for your employee. We
want to keep a healthy Belize and we want to keep a healthy workplace.”
Hertha Gentle Barber,
“Our statistics continue to show us that it is persons who are getting
ready to come to work and people who are already at work. If we sit and do nothing
we will have a problem. So what we’re trying to create here is an environment
where if you’re positive, you have support. You will want to come to work.
If you’re not positive then you’d want to remain that way via the
education and information that you get.”
Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7News.
Following the signing, the employers are also participating in a two
day training session.
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