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New partnership sets HIV at sea agenda

29/04/09

The Global Partnership on HIV and Mobile Workers in the Maritime Sector – a new group that brings together eight organisations representing the United Nations, NGOs, unions and employers – set out its strategic aims in London today.

In a three day meeting at the ITF headquarters participants in the recently launched initiative ironed out plans for its structure, funding and activities. They represented: Amosup (Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines), ICSW (International Committee On Seafarers' Welfare), ILO (International Labour Organization), IMHA (International Maritime Health Association) IOM (International Organization for Migration), ISF (International Shipping Federation), ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), and UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS).

Dr Asif Altaf, ITF Global HIV/Aids Project Coordinator, said: “The partnership was born in November last year to explore collaboration on HIV at sea. The new secretariat has quickly grown and this week we have got together to set out what this now strengthened partnership wants to achieve and how we intend to do it.”

“HIV/Aids is an issue at sea, but it’s one that has not been aired the way that it has, say, among truck drivers. We believe it is vital that all those who can help in that debate and in suggesting ways to tackle the virus and its effects, medical and social, come together to share their knowledge and experiences. This event has been a major step in beginning that process.”

Rosilyne Borland, IOM Migration Health Officer, commented: “From here we go on to work together to decrease the number of new cases of HIV among seafarers. We plan to engage directly with them to address high risk behaviour and transmission in ports and on ships, as well as to increase awareness of the issue at national and international levels. We hope that a pilot programme will commence this year among Filipino seafarers.”

Natalie Shaw, ISF Secretary, added: “By combining our efforts we best use the experience the parties have accumulated. We intend to utilise this joint expertise to signal the importance of this global issue and create approaches to prevention that build on successes and ensure that seafarers and those who work with them receive unambiguous and consistent messages about the prevention of HIV.”

Dani Appave, ILO Senior Maritime Specialist, stressed the importance of social partners in communicating HIV/AIDS information, prevention and non-discrimination. “A comprehensive workplace approach to HIV/AIDS is needed to facilitate behavioural change and decrease HIV vulnerability among seafarers,” he stated.

Nebojša Nikolić, IMHA President, concluded: “We were sure of the need for a partnership because our past experience in HIV/AIDS prevention projects taught us that a holistic approach – bringing together agencies, unions, educators and a mix of skillsets – was needed.”

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

or Rosilyne Borland, Global Partnership Secretary, on telephone: +41 22 717 92 34. Email: rborland@iom.int

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:

HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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