Jamaica 4-6 June, 2009

The HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a real threat to Caribbean nations due to … “free movement of people” under the CSME migratory trends of Caribbean people, and The increasing number of regional tourists and business travelers

The Caribbean private sector is being engaged as a resource for supplementing and promoting HIV/AIDS initiatives in the region

A Pan Caribbean Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS was established in 2005

The goal of the Coalition is to contribute to the reduction in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the specific objectives are: 1. support implementation of appropriate Workplace Policies 2. encouraging the development of National Business Coalitions, 3. bring private sector expertise to bear on initiatives within the national

expanded response to HIV/AIDS.

Increased Absenteeism

Increased staff turnover

Loss of Skills

Loss of tacit knowledge

Declining morale

Increasing demands for training and

recruitment

HIV/AIDS in the country

Declining markets, labour pool,

suppliers

Declining intellectual

capital

Reduced Foreign Direct Investment

Declining reliability

Declining re-investment

Insurance Cover

Retirement Funds

Health & Safety

Medical Assistance

Funeral Costs

Increased Costs

Declining Profits

Declining productivity

Source: UNAIDS (adapted by ILO)

HIV is one of two health priority areas for the private sector- the other being NCDs.

Is there a discernable approach underlying the different interventions and how effective are the intervention strategies?

The strengths and weakness of the private sector and HIV/AIDS interventions

What additional private sector actions can be pursued to combat the spread of the pandemic?

What support are the private sector coalitions receiving from other partners?

The majority of private sector organizations/coalitions are linked to National AIDS Programmes

Private sector policies and strategies to inform HIV/AIDS programme evolve around employee intervention, prevention, stigma and discrimination

Private sector relationships with national and regional programmes range from policy to financial assistance

Education campaigns in different forms are the main activities of the private sector programmes

an array of HIV/AIDS related programmes and projects

information dissemination/workshops/capacity building exercises

media and communication work

Support and guidance to the private sector organizations are received from PANCAP/ILO/WORLD BANK et al

National Business Coalitions have been established in Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago

Strengths

Some organizations have a coherent approach to tackling HIV/AIDS - a well articulated multi pronged approach to work place programmes

HIV/AIDS is now appearing o the agenda of most private sector organization.

There is a sustained/definitive focus of private sector organization on HIV/AIDS

Private sector recognizes the need to allocate sufficient resources to ensure an effective approach to its HIV work programme as one of its internal organizational matters.

Weaknesses

A majority of private sector organizations do not have HIV/AIDS programmes

Private sector responses to the challenges posed by HIV are inadequate

HIV/AIDS is not the direct focus of private sector programmes

Intervention is limited to general workplace policy

Interventions need more coordination

A majority of the private sector do not have coherent strategies and programmes

It welcomes the unique contribution and insights that people living with HIV can bring to its work, both as staff and as partner organizations and collaborators.

It is generally opposed to any form of discrimination on the basis of HIV status and seeks to ensure this is implemented in its employment policy and work programme.

It seeks to ensure that staff acquire the competence and resources to respond to the challenges posed by HIV in their professional work and personal lives as appropriate to specific circumstances and context.

Corporate commitment to HIV as a priority concern applies to all staff as appropriate to their area of work. .

HIV must be understood as a priority development issue and not stay as a health concern.

Caribbean HIV Response Goal Reduce the prevalence and incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.

Business Sector Development Goal The Caribbean is considered a strategic region for investment in both human and

financial capital. Maintain and enhance the attractiveness of the Caribbean region for investment in both human and financial capital

Strategic Objective of Business Coalition Healthy workforce available to contribute their talent and skills to the growth and

development of business sector and to the reduction of prevalence and incidence of HIV.

Specific Objectives 1. HIV sensitive workplace policies developed and in action in large and medium

enterprises. 2. Caribbean managers and employees knowledgeable about HIV and taking steps to know

their HIV status. 3. Human rights approach to HIV-related issues affecting workers adopted by all concerned. 4. Private sector contributing their management, marketing and other technical expertise to

National HIV/AIDS Response.

Use of model policies and generic tools:

Information & Knowledge Sharing:

Advocacy:

Partnerships:

The Pan Caribbean Executive Forum on HIV/AIDS is critical in ensuring sustained leadership at the highest levels.

HIV infected employees & potential employees

including those not knowing their status)

Employers also benefit

The Private Sector

The Countries

We must seek to promote a more holistic response incorporating health, social, economic, legislative, psychological dimensions. In this regard, the private sector response will be informed by proven, evidence based reports.

Ownership by the private sector is essential for long-term effectiveness i.e. engaging in identifying , designing, planning, implementing and reviewing workplace initiatives

No single organization can address the challenge of HIV on its own. The magnitude and complexity of the pandemic require organizations to work and collaborate as part of a multi sectoral response