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Leading by example

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Page context: Home > Transport International Magazine > Issue 35 - April 2009 > Leading by example

ITF affiliates around the world organised activities to mark World AIDS Day in December 2008, Dr. Syed Asif Altaf reports.

HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue that isn’t going away. That’s why Randall Howard, general secretary of SATAWU (South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union) decided to set an example by getting counselled and tested for HIV/AIDs. Howard wanted to show “concrete leadership” and encourage all union members to get tested as part of SATAWU’s activities for World Aids Day.

“The results, whilst confidential, will help all of us to take the necessary steps to contribute to the fight and, more importantly to make decisive interventions to ensure those of us infected and affected can still enjoy quality of life,” said Howard.

He was prepared to make his results known publicly so that members could take courage and “perhaps consider challenging themselves directly,” he said. There was still “a huge challenge in talking about HIV/AIDS, let alone being able to acknowledge that we are infected or affected”.

Twentieth 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 achieved over the years will be lost. 1 December 2008 was the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. We have seen significant progress in prevention and treatment over the past two decades, but 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, 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.

While treatment for HIV/ AIDS has improved and become more widespread since 1988, many still do not have access to it. In 2007, 69 per cent of people in low- to middle-income countries needing treatment did not receive it. Without treatment, many will die within the next two years.

Whilst the number of countries protecting people living with HIV continues 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.

Infections can only be halted if workers get tested. A recent UN study called for universal and voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and early antiretroviral drug access to reduce the prevalence rates of the disease by over 95 per cent within 10 years. The study, published in medical journal The Lancet, found that the initiative could have additional public health benefits, including reducing the incidence of tuberculosis and the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child.

HIV/AIDS education and policies

HIV/AIDS not only affects transport workers but also their families. This means it is very important for unions to run education programmes for family members of transport workers. In December, Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatna of India organised a week-long special education programme for family members of transport workers in their residential colony.

Developing a policy on HIV/AIDS is also an important part of a workplace response. It provides a framework for action to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and manage its impact at the workplace. The Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union in Guyana started the process of developing and implementing a policy on HIV/AIDS, promoting HIV awareness education and voluntary counselling and testing. On World AIDS Day, the union distributed condoms at workplaces. It published articles about the importance of dealing with HIV at the workplace and about the union’s effort in helping its members.

ITF affiliates in low prevalence countries are also active to create awareness and highlighting the importance of tackling HIV/AIDS at workplaces. The Asociación Sindical de Sobrecargos de Aviación de México (ASSA) organised a seminar in collaboration with the civil aviation medical board. The union organised sessions to show the ITF documentary “Highway of Hope”. It also set up a week-long information booth, in collaboration with local NGOs, to disseminate information and distribute education materials and condoms.

Blood donations

Unions can also play an important role in collecting blood which is properly screened for HIV. Transmission with HIV-infected blood is the most efficient route of HIV transmission, accounting for an estimated 2 to 3 per cent of HIV infections worldwide. A patient who receives a transfusion with HIV-infected blood has more than a 90 per cent chance of becoming infected. But an estimated 6 million units of blood annually are transmitted without appropriate screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, according to the World Health Organisation.

Indian unions, including the All India Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, regularly organise voluntary blood donation camps in branches all over the country. All donated blood is properly screened. Mahendra Sharma, assistant secretary, ITF Asia-Pacific region, says: “Voluntary blood donation can significantly reduce HIV transmission through safe blood transfusion. Each year Indian railway workers donate around 0.25 million units of blood.” On 1 December 2008, the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union organised a blood donation camp in which more then 500 members donated blood.

By organising activities such as this, the trade union movement can play its part in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Full details of activities carried out by ITF affiliates all over the world can be found at www.itfglobal.org/hiv-aids Dr Syed Asif Altaf is HIV/AIDS coordinator at the ITF.

Related pages:
E-bulletin | HIV/AIDS

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