For the ICEM HIV/AIDS is a trade union issue. The International and its affiliates are uniquely placed to make an important contribution in the fight against the pandemic through workplace activities.

The ICEM’s HIV/AIDS project has been running since 2005. The present cycle of the main project, sponsored by the Solidarity Support Organisations SASK of Finland and FNV-Mondiaal of the Netherlands, covers the years 2010 to 2012. The Danish LO/FTF supports a project on HIV/AIDS and the mining sector in Ethiopia which runs until 2011. The ICEM managed to get additional funding for programmes, notably from its affiliates such as the CEP in Canada, the German IG BCE and IE Norway. The German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim sponsored a project in India.

Click here to find out more on how the ICEM responds to HIV/AIDS and learn about the projects.

This HIV/AIDS section of the ICEM’s website contains information on global and regional developments, as well as news from affiliates in the ICEM HIV/AIDS e-bulletin. This e-bulletin is published monthly and sent to affiliates and interested organisations and individuals (see below for the latest issues and previous articles).

In addition, an overview of links to other important HIV/AIDS sites is available. Also available is an overview of useful background materials on HIV-AIDS. A new feature here are examples of a union HIV/AIDS policy and an HIV/AIDS workplace policy.

The ICEM has published the ICEM HIV/AIDS Training Manual for Collective Bargaining in English, French and Spanish. The manual gives a basis for unions to negotiate protections for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The ICEM has also published a Guide on HIV/AIDS Resources and Funding, which is available in English, French and Spanish. The Guide gives fact-sheets on organisations such as ILOAIDS, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, WHO and the World Bank and lists a number of foundations and NGOs fighting against HIV/AIDS. An especially useful section for unionists refers to funding at national level from national AIDS commissions and resources from companies.

An important date for HIV/AIDS activists every year is World Aids Day, 1 December. The ICEM published this campaign leaflet. For further material and campaign ideas, go to the website of the World AIDS Campaign www.worldaidscampaign.org.

For more information on the ICEM and HIV/AIDS please contact hiv.aids@icem.org.