Activities carried out by some affiliates during World AIDS Day, 2006
As a part of its HIV/AIDS campaign, ITF affiliates observed World AIDS Day in a befitting manner with a promise to unite and fight the pandemic to prevent new infections and provide necessary care and support to transport workers all over the globe. Some of the events that were organised by affiliates include:
Pakistan
In Lahore, the Pakistan Transport Workers Federation in partnership with National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Family Health International (FHI) organised a seminar and a cultural programme to mark the World AIDS Day. The event got huge publicity in the local and national media.
India
In India, Transport and Dock Workers’ Union (HMS) Kandla demonstrated their resolve to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic through an education programme. Kandla is a major Port in India with many other commercial industries surrounding it. More than 4000 trucks are estimated to pass through this area.
On 1st of December, the union distributed badges to the entire workforce and officers of Kandla port and participated in a marathon organised by the union Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) to create awareness among the workers. In a few months time, the union will start a Roadside Wellness Centre in partnership with YMCA working among the truck driver's and cleaners at one of the entry points to the Kandla Port. This centre will have educational materials, video shows and a trained counsellor made available for counselling together with Outreach Workers posted at the centre.
Cochin Port staff Association inaugurated a series of HIV/AIDS education and awareness programmes for all of its members and their families. This programme also included the unorganised workers in the port as they think that this type of activity will attract the unorganised to be unionised.
National Union of Seamen of India organized a number of rallies, seminars and discussion sessions on 1st December. They also distributed educational materials among the seamen. They organized different social events to disseminate messages about the HIV/AIDS campaign initiated by the ITF and the National AIDS Programme.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Corporation Workers’ Union and Bangladesh Railway Employees League organized rallies, seminars and cultural programmes to mark the day. These programmes were organized both at central level and at branch level. They also participated in different events organized by the National AIDS Programme.
Philippines
Philippines Seafarers’ Union organized a seminar, “ Symposium on anti-violence against women and HIV/AIDS awareness”, which was participated in by seafarer’s wives and women staff of several manning agencies.
Kiribati
Kiribati Island Overseas Seafarers Union organized a meeting of the executive board on World AIDS Day. They are going to start a HIV/AIDS prevention education project for the community in partnership with Kiribati Seamen wives association, National AIDS programme and the Ministry of Health and family welfare.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Maritime Workers’ Industrial Union organized a number of dramas at the workplace on HIV/AIDS awareness specially issues related to stigma and discrimination.
Guyana
Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union of Guyana is presently implementing a HIV/AIDS prevention and control project in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the World Bank. The project organised a number of events on World AIDS Day. One of the important events was a training programme for the employers because it is very difficult to implement an effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care project without the active participation of the employers.
Ukraine
The Railway Workers and Transport Constructors union of Ukraine organised a number of events on 1st of December. Through their 109 certified trainers they conducted a number of training programmes for the railway workers at their workplace. As an important stakeholder in the National AIDS Coordination committee, the union actively took part in different events organised by the national programme.
Austria
The Austrian Railway Workers’ union organised a special meeting of the executive board to observe World AIDS Day and to reinforce their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS at the workplace. The ITF Global HIV/AIDS project coordinator, Kemal Ulker from the Education department and two senior leaders from the Indian railway union were also present at the meeting. “Highway of Hope”, the ITF documentary on HIV/AIDS was also shown during the meeting.
Burkina Faso
Federation Nationale des Taxi men from Burkina Faso organised a rally and a discussion session which were participated in by a large number of workers and also some owners.
Jordan
Air Transport union of Jordan organised a day long seminar on “HIV/AIDS and its impact in the workplace.”
Tunisia
In Tunisia, the Railway Workers’ union organised a rally and discussion sessions on HIV/AIDS to create awareness among the general members and also among the staff of the railway company.
