IUF Pakistan affiliates say ‘We are ready to act on HIV/AIDS’

IUF affiliates in Pakistan held a seminar in Karachi May 22-23 to raise awareness on the importance of measures to prevent HIV/AIDS at the workplace and in society, with the participation of more than 70 members from the IUF’s food (PFWF), HRCT (PHRCTAWF) and sugar worker federations. The All-Sindh Agriculture Research Regional Employees Union also took part.

Experts from the Pakistan Medical Association and the Sindh Aids Control Programme gave presentations on the global and national dimensions of HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Programme’s latest figures show that only 4000 HIV cases have been registered in Pakistan since 1986, but the actual number of cases is estimated to range from 97,000 to 210,000. HIV Infection is associated with stigma and discrimination, and workers believe that infected individuals (or those believed to be infected) will be terminated.  In 2013 the Sindh Assembly passed an HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment, Care and Support Act; implementation is now needed.

The seminar brought all three Federations together on the issue, who agreed on the need to initiate HIV/AIDS awareness programs for members, encourage voluntary testing and approach employers, including through collective bargaining, to organize joint programs and workplace committees.