ILO/UPU/UNI Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for the Postal Sector

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21 November 2011
LTB 978/11 ILO/UPU/UNI Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for the Postal Sector



No. 978/11
Ref: P25/11
Date: 21 November 2011





To: All Postal Branches

Dear Colleagues

ILO/UPU/UNI Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for the Postal Sector

The International Labour Office(ILO), the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the UNI Global Union (formerly Union Network International), have this month (1st November 2011) announced the launch of a new publication: "Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for the Postal Sector". A communication has been received from Neil Anderson Head of UNI Post & Logistics Global Union requesting support in dissemination of the report.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and UNI Global Union have contributed to the formulation of the Guidelines and participated in the implementation of the first phase of the campaign in seven selected pilot countries: Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Estonia, Mali and Nigeria.

The ILO Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for the postal sector consist of a compilation of a range of resources - including tools and information - that can be used by the different players in the postal sector to help slow the spread of the HIV. Although the Guidelines are based on the ILO Code of Practice on HIV and AIDS and the world of work and the accompanying training manual, this book also contains ideas that have been adapted to aspects that are specific to the Postal sector. These Guidelines will also give effect to the recently adopted ILO Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No. 200), which places a strong emphasis on the unique role of employers' and workers' organizations in promoting and supporting sectoral, national and international efforts to respond to the epidemic.

Affiliated organisations are being encouraged to use the Guidelines to review their workplace policies and programmes on HIV and AIDS.

This initiative forms part of a global campaign by UNI Global Union, the Universal Postal Union, the International Labour Office, and the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The initiative is spreading the HIV-prevention message through postal networks and it aims to develop HIV workplace policies that provide training to all postal staff about the importance of prevention, and protect and assist employees living with the virus.

The partnership between the UPU, the ILO, UNI Global Union and UNAIDS also resulted in the launching of a global HIV and AIDS awareness campaign in July 2009.

Postal sector workers and the UPU have strongly expressed the necessity to offer a specific tool that could address the needs of the postal sector to prevent HIV. It is expected that these Guidelines will help workers in the postal sector to develop and implement workplace HIV and AIDS policies and programmes. It will also assist in promoting and implementing the ILO Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the world of work No. 200, 2010 - the first international labour standard on HIV and AIDS, protecting human rights at work and calling for measures to be taken to prevent HIV-related discrimination and stigma.

The key aim is to raise awareness among the population and postal employees of the importance of taking precautions against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and for measures to be taken to prevent HIV-related discrimination and stigma.

Following a request from workers, the UPU and employers, it was felt that a set of Guidelines on HIV and AIDS that address the specific situation of the postal sector would offer an essential additional tool.

Guidelines are a product of collaboration among the ILO, UPU, UNAIDS and UNI Global Union.

The Guidelines include a model policy which should include provisions in the following areas:

1) The protection of the rights of those affected by HIV and AIDS;
2) Prevention through information, education and training;
3) Care and support for workers and their families.

The report will be shared and discussed with employers.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer