International Labour Organization (ILO) HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Program in Botswana
ILO with the financial support of the United States Department of Labour is assisting the Department of Labour and Social Security (Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs) to implement an HIV/AIDS Workplace Education program in selected enterprises from four industries. The project started in 2004 with the aim of contributing to the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the world of work, the enhancement of work place protection and the reduction of its adverse consequences on social, labour and economic development. Initially the project targeted thirteen enterprises from four industries as follows: Textile: Construction: Tourism & Hospitality: Wholesalers/Retailers:
The project’s main objectives are:
To reduce HIV/AIDS risk behaviours among targeted workers
To reduce level of employment related discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS (EXTRACTS)
1. The proportion of employees who were aware of specific HIV/AIDS related services was consistently higher among the Desert and Delta Safaris employees when compared to their counterparts in other workplaces involved in the study
2. The proportion of employees stating being aware of HIV prevention materials was consistently higher for Desert and Delta employees for brochures, books and information sheets
3. The proportion of employees who mentioned the existence of HIV prevention education was consistently higher for Desert and Delta Safaris for all types of HIV prevention education mentioned except for informal discussions.
4. Significant differences were evident by name of workplaces with Desert and Delta Safaris having the highest proportion (56.9%) of employees who received some HIV/AIDS training, which was led by an expert or peer counsellor
5. What is apparently substantiated is the relatively consistent high proportion among employees of Desert and Delta who receive HIV/AIDS related services at their workplace.
6. 96.1% of those from the Desert and Delta Safaris indicating that their workplace HIV/AIDS education does reach all of the employees. There were twice as likely to mention that HIV/AIDS does reach all of the employees
7. Desert and delta Safaris employees consistently show a higher level of HIV/AIDS service uptake at their workplaces when compared to their counterparts in other workplaces.
8. A strong association was established indicating that 96.2% of the Desert and Delta Safari employees mentioned that their employer had an HIV/AIDS policy or guideline
9. Another component mentioned by more than three quarters of the employees was dialogue between management and workers.
10. Amongst all the HIV/AIDS components mentioned, there was a relatively higher proportion of Desert and Delta Safaris employees mentioning the existences of activities in line with policy compared to employees from other workplaces involved in the study.
11. The impact assessment indicates a ten fold upsurge of awareness of HIV/AIDS policies by employees However in almost all workplaces involved, a majority of employees were not aware of such policies except for Desert and Delta Safaris employees.
12. Desert and Delta Safaris demonstrated a high level of awareness of both the policy and the program on HIV/AIDS among staff and probably should be used as a yardstick for HIV/AIDS policy and program implementation.
Statement by Desert and Delta Safaris – Desert and Delta Safaris is committed to continual implementation of our Staff Wellness Policies and Programs and are furthermore committed to extensions of these to our business suppliers and the communities directly impacted by our business practises and those of our staff in general. We believe that Responsible Tourism practices need to impact and benefit all our staff and the general community at large. Desert and Delta Safaris remains committed to the Botswana Government’s Vision 2016 objectives which include a multidimensional and proactive approach to addressing the pandemic of HIV and AIDS in our country.
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