Activities during World AIDS Day 2008

Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation

Page context: World AIDS Day 2008 > Activities during World AIDS day 2008

Activities carried out by ITF affiliates during World AIDS day 2008

World AIDS Day 20th anniversary marks progress but no solution

In the midst of a global financial turmoil not seen for decades, leaders must deliver on their AIDS promises or hard fought gains achived over the years will be lost. This 1st of December 2008 is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which is marked by significant progress in prevention and treatment over the past two decades, but highlights how much more still needs to be done by leaders at all levels to reach universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. As of 2007, nearly all countries have national policies on HIV. However, despite these policies, most have not been fully implemented and many lack funding allocations. Despite HIV awareness now reaching nearly all areas of the globe, infection rates are still happening 2.7 times faster than the increase in number of people receiving treatment. Whilst the number of countries protecting people living with HIV continue to increase, one third of countries still lack legal protections. Stigma and discrimination continues to be a major threat to universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support.

ITF affiliates all over the world were be very active during World AIDS day and implemented number of activities. 80 affiliates from 40 countries gave a report of their activities to observe World AIDS day.

Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union distributed condoms and awareness materials in their work places.

The Centro de Jefes y Oficiales Maquinistas Navales of Argentina organised a seminar for their members in collaboration with the department of epidemiology and infectious diseases and also run an education programme for those living in port areas

Centro de Capitanes de Ultramar y Officialis de la Marina Mercante of Argentina organized special session on HIV/AIDS for cadets in National Nautical College.

Australian Services Union distributed HIV/AIDS posters all around the country. Their national website put on stories on HIV/AIDS related issues.

The Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industry Union distributed information materials in workplaces.

Bangladesh Inland Navigation Workers Union organized a meeting of the ITF coordination committee in the country to discuss about a joint project for all sectors. They put on ITF posters at inland river ports.

Bahrain General Trade Union of Marine port distributed educational materials all around port area. They also distributed educational materials to management personnel of port authority.

In Brazil, the Confederaçao Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Transportes Terrestres (CNTTT) organised number of events in bus garages and parking places along two major truck routes. They also distributed condoms donated by the health authorities.

ITF affiliates in Burkina Faso met with their colleagues from neighbouring countries to develop a cross border HIV programme for transport workers. They will also organise a VCT session for workers and the wider community and distribute condoms and educational materials.

ITF affiliates in Cameron organised a symposium in collaboration with the employers and management. They distributed condoms in airport. They also organized VCT programme to promote testing.

Asociacion Nacional de Servidores Publicos del Instituto Nacional de Vias Anseinvias, from Colombia organized discussion session for workers and their families. They also made arrangements to show the ITF documentary, “ Highway of Hope” at workplaces.

Ethiopian Transport and Communication Workers Trade Union Industrial Federation(TCWTUIF) organized number of activities in collaboration with Minstry of Health. They also organized plenary session on 5 years nutritional support strategy for people living with HIV/AIDS. They also organized education session for women network.

Ghana
ITF coordination committee in Ghana organised a discussions session with employers, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders on the importance of working together in preventing HIV/AIDS infection and provide care and support. They organised a rally with all stakeholders. ITF affiliates from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Nigeria who participated in a workshop "Engaging Global Terminal Operating Companies in Workplace Responses to HIV/AIDS" also took part in the programmes.

Grenada Seamen & Waterfront Workers Union participated in activities organised by the national HIV/AIDS programme. They also organized motorcades throughout city with awareness materials.

ITF affiliates in Guinea Conakry organized charity football match both for male and female workers and disseminate awareness materials during matches. They organized film show on HIV/AIDS and STIs. They distributed condoms at work places.

Clerical and Commercial Workers Union in Guyana initiated the process of developing a policy on HIVA/IDS promoting voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). They also distributed condoms at work place. They published articles highlighting the importance of dealing HIV at workplace and also highlight their effort in helping their members.

For the first time in India, transport unions have joined together in a common message for World AIDS Day. Over 25 of the unions throughout India displayed 30,000 World AIDS Day posters, banners and ribbons in railway stations, docks and national airports. Many of the unions including Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (AIRF)also organised blood donation camps to promote safe blood transfusion. Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatna organised special education programme for family members of transport workers in their residential colony.

Indonesian Railway Workers Union organised workplace education programme in partnership with Minstry of Health.

Jamaica
The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union distributed HIV/AIDS materials during their Triennial General Assembly which held just before World AIDS day. The union also participated in the programme organised by the Ministry of Health.

Kenya Dock Workers Union launched their work policy on HIV/AIDS. They also organized number of sensitization meetings with workers at port area. Trained peer educators conducted education session for members and families in residential quarters. They also organized candle memorial for those who have died of AIDS.

Kenya Long Distance Truck Driver and Allied Workers Union, organized a week long “Moonlight VCT” programme, which was organized in collaboration with Ministry of Transport. Moonlight VCT programme enable truckers to go for test at night when they take rest at parking lot. They also organized a procession involving truckers and sex workers.

The Lebanese Cabin Crew Association displayed campaign materials including ITF posters in airports and other workplaces. They also put on special article on HIV/AIDS issues in their union magazine.

Malaysia Airlines Systems Employees Union organized education programme for its members.

Central East African Railway Workers Union, Malawi organized an “open day” to educate members and heir family on HIV/AIDS. They posted press release in daily newspaper about their activities.

Alianza de Tranviarios de Mexico distributed information materials and condoms in workplaces. HIV/AIDS related issues were highlighted during the cultural week just before the World AIDS day.

Associacion Sindical de Sobrecargos de Aviacion de Mexico (ASSA) organised seminar in collaboration with civil aviation medical board. They organised sessions to show ITF documentary, “Highway of Hope”. They also set up week long “Information booth” in collaboration with local NGOs to disseminate information and distribute education materials and condoms.

SINATRAT from Mozambique also met with their colleagues from Zimbabwe and South Africa and organised education session in border crossing between the neighbouring countries. They also organises sensitization meetings at work places to encourage workers to go for VCT.

Namibian Transport and Allied Workers’ Union implemented a national campaign against discrimination in the workplace as well as running a mobile VCT (voluntary counselling and testing) centre. They also organized truck convoy through out main streets of large cities

Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal organized awareness sessions for members and families.

Peer educators of Nepal Yatayat Mazdoor Sangh condcuted education sessions thought out the country. They also put on posters and stickers at diffrent workplaces.

New Zealand Road and Maritime Transport Union distributed campaign materials to all of its branches and organized discussion sessions.

Niger
The ITF national coordinating committee organised a national action day, which includes the sensitisation of employers and workers, training of educators on HIV/AIDS and communication techniques in the cities of Niamey and Tahoua.

Nigeria
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) organised a press conference and a road show to begin at the airport travel to the centre of the state capital. They distributed materials to airline passengers.

The Pakistan Transport Workers’ Federation HIV/AIDS with the employers organized workplace seminars. A materials distribution campaign was also organised by them.

Road Transport union of ALUTUCP, Philipines started their HIV camapign during ITF raod transport action week and distributed awareness materials in bus, truck and taxi parking lots. They also organized number of group education sessions.

Women’s department of AMOSUP, ITF affiliate in Philippines produced comic books for HIV/AIDS education and awareness activities.

South Africa Transport and Allied Workers Union(SATAWU) in collaboration with employers organized week long wellness programme to promote VCT and to enrol more members into ARV therapy.

Dockers’ and seafarers’ unions in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Port Authority to run a daylong seminar on HIV/Aids in the workplace.

Sri Lanka Flight Attendant Union organized education sessions for all of its members. They also put in ITF posters in airports.

St.Lucia Seamen Waterfront General Workers Union organized education sessions for workers and their family members.

Tanzania Seafarers Union organized a workshop for seafarers and their family members about HIV/AIDS.

ITF affiliates in Togo organized workshops to develop workplace policies. They organized large-scale awareness campaign at workplaces. Dock and Port workers Union organized special VCT session at port medical centre.

Ugandan Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) organized special exhibition at Uganda and Rwanda border which attracted large number of truckers and affiliated community members including sex workers.

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) of the USA distributed awareness materials at workplaces.

Trade Union of Railway Workers & Transport Constructors of Ukraine distributed information campaign materials including brochures, posters, and leaflets at workplaces. They also organized training programme for medical staff in protocols for diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic Diseases and VCT.

Zambia bus and taxi Workers Union organized education programme at workplaces.

Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railway Workers Union participated in the programme organized by national trade union centre. They also organized education session for workers and distributed information materials.

Section home:
World AIDS Day 2008

Other pages for World AIDS Day 2008:
Request Materials for World AIDS Day

Transport International Magazine

Full graphics version

accessibility | site help | site map

ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk