| |
| The HIV/AIDS pandemic is an unfolding human
tragedy in Asia where new infections are increasing faster than
anywhere else in the world. According to the WHO Regional Office
for South-East Asia in India, "The Asian epidemic is highly
dynamic and evolving. The window of opportunity is rapidly closing
and action is urgently needed to stem the rising spread of HIV
in Asia." Following this epidemic of the virus is an epidemic
of prejudice; what Justice Michael Kirby describes as the "second
epidemic of discrimination, prejudice and wrongdoing". |
| |
| The real tragedy has been the effect on
people. People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) can continue to
be productive members of the workforce with a supportive workplace.
More so with increasing access to medicines, more and more PLWHAs
will be healthier longer. We have a choice still; we can do
little or nothing and suffer or avert the tragedy and halt the
pandemic through leadership and education. |
| |
| Malaysia has a population of 23.27 million
as at 2000. The total number of employed persons was 9.3 million
out of a labour force of 9.6 million in 2000. |
| |
| As of June 2004, the cumulative total of
HIV/AIDS reported to the Ministry of Health is 60,621 cases.
|
| |
| Of that total, those between the ages of
20 and 49 years are 56,763 or 93.6%. |
| |
| From a low prevalence rate at the start
of the pandemic here in the mid eighties, we have unfortunately
progressed into the "medium prevalence" rate of 0.42%. |
| |
| A study carried out by the Department of
Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) in 2000 covering 154 enterprises
representing a wide range of industries indicated that the level
of awareness among employers on HIV/AIDS and its potential destructive
impact on business and the economy is still very low. |
| |
| The survey also revealed that when asked
about the perception of scale of threat of HIV/AIDS to industry
and the economy among employers at the national level; 34% saw
it as a serious problem and 20% saw it as a very serious problem.
Given this, the number of HIV/AIDS workplace programmatic activities
remains very small. |
| |
| Even though there is still no cure, we
have the knowledge and the resources to work towards stopping
the spread. Education on how to protect our loved ones and ourselves
is the only way we can stop this threat to our people and economy.
Yet despite our knowledge, HIV/AIDS figures continue to rise.
|
| |
| The launching of the "Code of Practice
on the Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace"
(The Code) by the Minister of Health of Human |
| |
| Resources, Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn on September
4, 2001 has been a significant milestone for HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. |
| |
| The Department of Safety and Health (DOSH)
was the co-coordinating agency to the Code. They formed a working
committee which included the Ministry of Health, the Department
of Labour, the Department for Public Services, the Malaysian
Trades Union Congress, the Civil Service Employees Union (CUEPACS),
the Malaysian Business Coalition on AIDS, the Malaysian Employers
Federation, UNAIDS, UNDP, ILO (Bangkok) and the Malaysian AIDS
Council. |
| |
| The Code is set out in seven (7) sections
which include, the objective, scope, management of HIV/AIDS
in the Workplace, designated person in charge, role of the safety
and health committee, gender equality and benefits of the workplace
HIV/AIDS program. There is also a glossary of key words and
explanatory notes of some of the terms used frequently in HIV/AIDS. |
| |
| The key section is "Managing HIV/AIDS in
the Workplace". The Policy includes the development of a workplace
policy, responsibilities of employers and that of employees. |
| |
| Some salient points in the Code: |
- "A written policy should clearly state the employer's
commitment in preventing the spread of the virus as well
as discrimination and stigmatization of HIV positive employees
in the workplace"
- "Employment practices should be based on the scientific
and epidemiological evidence that people with HIV/AIDS do
not pose a risk of transmission of the virus to co-workers
through ordinary workplace contact"
- "HIV positive status should not be the sole criterion
for disqualification from any form of employment"
- "HIV positive employees should have the right to continue
in employment as long as they are able to work and as long
as they do not pose any danger to themselves, their co-workers
and other individuals in the workplace"
- "The procedure for termination of employment on medical
grounds for HIV positive employees should be the same as
for any other disease"
- "Disciplinary action should be taken against any employee
who discriminates or stigmatizes HIV positive or perceived
HIV positive employees"
- "An employer should ensure that an HIV positive employee
is not required to disclose his/her HIV status to the employer
or anyone at work. In situations where the employee needs
to reveal his/her status, confidentiality and privacy regarding
all medical information related to his/her HIV/AIDS status
should be maintained at all times"
- "Employers should not practice screening
|
| And the last two paragraphs in the Code state,
|
- "Employees should not discriminate against or stigmatize
co-workers who are HIV positive or perceived to be HIV positive.
Disciplinary action should be taken against any employee
who discriminates against or stigmatizes a co-worker who
is HIV-positive or perceived to be HIV positive."
- " An employer should recognize the gender dimensions of
HIV/AIDS (in the Workplace activities)"
|
| Three training modules have been developed
to assist those wishing to implement the Code. The modules are
"Module on HIV/AIDS Education for Employees", "Module on Train
the Trainer" and "Module on HIV/AIDS for Resource Persons".
All the modules are with DOSH. |
| |
| The Module on HIV/AIDS Education for Employees
together with the Module on Train the Trainer are the principal
modules to assist those who will be conducting the HIV/AIDS
programs in the workplaces. |
| |
| The Malaysian AIDS Council coordinated
the first of the abovementioned modules with valuable inputs
from MEF, the Malaysian Business Coalition on AIDS, NIOSH, MTUC,
AWAM (a women's group) and DOSH representatives. The module
is essentially a guide for the conduct of HIV/AIDS education
and training with and for all employees in any workplace. The
module is in three (3) Units. |
| |
| Unit 1 which is 75 minutes long is designed
to achieve two (2) objectives, which are; to clarify the values
and attitudes associated with HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness
among employees on the Code of Practice. The first part is designed
in an interactive game-like activity. |
| |
| Unit 2 is 3 hours 20 minutes long and it
covers the basic facts on HIV/AIDS. The Unit aims to impart
accurate basic information about HIV/AIDS and secondly, to enhance
employees' knowledge and skills in the prevention of HIV infection
and transmission. |
| |
| The last Unit is on Care & Support, which
is 2 hours and 40 minutes long. This Unit aims to enhance employees'
understanding of and ability to support and care for PLWHAs. |
| |
| Adopt the Code of Practice on the Prevention
and Management of HIV/AIDS at the Workplace. A copy of the Code
may be obtained by contacting DOSH at 03-88865000. |
| |
| The Malaysian AIDS Council has informational
resources like pamphlets, videos and other materials for your
HIV/AIDS activities. We have a Training and Education Unit that
coordinates training activities including resource persons.
Please contact the Officer-in-Charge at 03-40451033.
|
| |
| Other useful information can be obtained
from the following websites: |
| |
|
|
