HIV/AIDS and the work environment

29.03.2010

RED Union Fenosa’s policy on HIV/AIDS at work:

  • is aimed at ensuring a conscious and objective approach to prevention of HIV/AIDS among the employees and their families, management of consequences of HIV/AIDS, including the care and support of employees living with HIV/AIDS;
  • establishes the general principles regarding the prevention of HIV risks, health care and safety of employees at work, as well as the main ways for the application of these principles;
  • acknowledgment of HIV/AIDS as a problem related to the workplace;

Activities carried out within the training and information project

 
The employees are informed about HIV/AIDS and the ways of transmission of infection, and about the principle of zero tolerance for any type of stigmatization or discrimination at work. These activities consist in:
  • the sufficient and adequate theoretical and practical training on health and safety at work, and on HIV/AIDS, in particular as information: 1. upon employment; 2. upon change or transfer from one workplace or job to another; 3. at least once in 6 months at the workplace; 4. at least once in 24 months courses on health and safety at work are organized for the managerial staff;
  • placement of information on the local Intranet, organization of competitions through Intranet or e-mail;
  • placement of information in the local journal;
  • information of employees about HIV/AIDS during the work hours, by posting relevant information on billboards;
  • organization of briefings on HIV/AIDS with the participation of ILO representatives and relevant specialists for all the staff through a rotation system, in groups of 10-20 persons;
  • organization of seminars in the warm period of the year, jointly with the ILO representatives (or with the own forces) by involving employees’ families in a non-formal atmosphere and a variable agenda;
  • organization of drawing contests on HIV/AIDS for the employees' children and granting awards to the winners;
  • combination of information about HIV/AIDS with sports events and other actions for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle;
  • training of the staff on adequate behaviour in case of accidents or emergencies, including training on how to avoid infection during accidents at work and how to provide first aid. Courses will be held regularly (2-3 times per month ) within the programme of the Union Fenosa Moldova Training Centre. Information will also be offered during the morning medical tests of the drivers;
  • free distribution of brochures with information about HIV/AIDS, calendars, T-shirts, condoms (once in 2-3 months);
  • participation of Union Fenosa Company and its personnel in the public municipal activities against HIV/AIDS.
Care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS

Solidarity, care and support are the key elements that should encourage all the employees to find a response to HIV/AIDS:
  • persons who acknowledge publicly that they are HIV/AIDS positive are encouraged to be open, are accepted and supported, thus ensuring the elimination of their discrimination and stigmatization;
  • employees are informed about places where they and their families can apply for health care services ;
  • employees are informed about places where they can apply for legal counselling and legal aid;
  • employees may request assistance to their families in getting access to social insurance programmes and professional services;
  • families with members who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are referred to relevant legal and medical services or receive a list of recommended services;