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Page context: Home > Transport International Magazine > Issue 18 January 2005 > Economics of HIV > What can trade unions do?

Our basic trade union principles should guide our trade union-based efforts to combat HIV/AIDS all over the world. Education is indispensable for the development of trade union leadership commitment and political will to fight the disease. And the universal adoption of the ILO "Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work" is crucial. But at the same time, it is impossible to develop a viable response to the pandemic without addressing and fighting against the inequality of opportunity around the globe. Transport trade unions should strive to:

• Negotiate collective agreements incorporating HIV/AIDS-specific provisions.
• Join other unions and national trade uniocentres to address HIV/AIDS inational social dialogue forums.
• Lobby governments to acknowledge the problem, especially in countries where the severity of the HIV/AIDS crisis is not officially recognised or dealt with.
• Lobby for affordable and accessible AIDS drugs.
• Initiate health / wellness centres at popular truck stops, in ports, railway stations etc.
• Challenge discrimination, prejudice and marginalisation of people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Show solidarity with organisations of people living with HIV/AIDS and assisting with their care.
• Fight for living and working conditions that can help people living with HIV/AIDS to keep their immune systems strong.
• Build networks - there are many organisations addressing HIV/AIDS constructively.

Trade unions do not need to reinvent the wheel. They can link up with existing programmes and ensure that the specific issues of their members are addressed.

For a copy of the ITF education manual on HIV/AIDS contact education@itf.org.uk.

Section home:
Issue 18 January 2005

Other pages for Issue 18 January 2005:
Presumed Guilty | Bus Driver Blues | Picket Notebook | Cargo in the Wrong Hands | New Pollution Charge | Keeping Going | The Global Reporting Initiative | Commentary: Let them ashore | Commentary: Low cost at any price | Comment: frontlines in US | In a Man's World | Working Life: Our struggles with Maersk | Reflections: Readers thoughts on HIV/AIDS

Other pages for Economics of HIV:

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