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Unions must be involved in fight against HIV/AIDS
8 August 2008
Trade union leaders are grappling with the issue of HIV and AIDS at an international conference on the subject this week.
Some 40 trade union leaders from 20 countries are participating in the 17th International AIDS Conference, organised by the International AIDS Society, an independent association of HIV professionals. Held in Mexico City, Mexico, from 3 – 8 August, trade unionists are highlighting the key role they need to play in helping to prevent the spread of the epidemic and in carrying out advocacy work. They are also sharing experiences of dealing with HIV in the workplace.
Dr Syed Asif Altaf, ITF HIV/AIDS coordinator and ITF inter-American regional secretary Antonio Fritz, are both participating in the event; Altaf presented the trade union perspective at a workshop entitled Sex by the roadside, focusing on transport workers’ vulnerability along transport corridors in Africa.
In addition, delegates have been able to view the ITF’s DVD on HIV/AIDS, Highway of hope, which has been screened at the conference. Copies of the ITF’s HIV/AIDS magazine, Agenda, and other campaign materials including some 50,000 condoms, are also being distributed during the event.
Fritz commented: “This conference, which is being held in Latin America for the first time, will help to motivate ITF affiliates in the region to become more active in the fight against HIV.”
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