BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the global HIV epidemic is keeping on reducing the supply of labor, and undermining the rights and the livelihoods of millions of workers, as well as those who depend on them. The loss of skills and experience in the workforce reduces productivity and diminishes the capacity of national economies to deliver goods and services on a sustainable basis. HIV/AIDS threatens every aspect of the decent work agenda of respective nations.
According to Addis Ababa City Administration Labor Relations Board Director Seyoum Lemma, efforts are underway to create an informed workforce and push the private enterprises to let workers get decent work places.
The Board works along with 45 thousand private enterprises and; they try to cover and inspect over 10 thousand enterprises based on the check list developed by ILO. Most of the enterprises are willing to put in place the safety rule and equipping their workplaces according to set standards. Most industries provide protective devices and established awareness creation clubs that help to create an informed workforce on HIV/AIDS, Coronavirus, among others.
He further noted that more effort should be exerted to ensure a healthy workplace. The Board is also working along with industrial parks in Bole Lemmi and Jemo. As of now, there are twenty thousand workforces at Bole Lemmi Industrial Park who most of them are under 25. This part of workforce needs intensive guidance and life skill trainings.
While elaborating the need to dealing with HIV/AIDS at workplace, Labor Enterprise Industry Development Bureau Team Leader with the Addis Ababa City Administration Tedla Atnafu said that there are three reasons why it is necessary to deal with HIV and AIDS in workplaces. First, HIV and AIDS has a huge impact on the world of work because it reduces the supply of labor and available skills, increases labor costs, reduces productivity, threatens the livelihoods of workers and employers, and creates environments which undermine the rights of workers.
Second, the workplace is an appropriate place to tackle HIV and AIDS. This is more so because there are set of standards for working conditions and labor relations. Workplaces are communities where people come together, interact and share experiences. This provides an opportunity for awareness raising; to conduct education programs, and the protection of human rights. Thirdly, employers and trade union leaders are important opinion leaders in their communities. Leadership is crucial to the successful fight against HIV and AIDS at all levels including the family, community and workplaces.
The Bureau is providing ISO standards for decent work to private companies and certifying enterprises as ensuring decent work for all is an essential aspect for sustainable development. Quality employment and decent work conditions help reduce inequalities and poverty, and empower people, especially women, young people and the most vulnerable such as people with disabilities.
Kangaroo Shoe Factory Technical Department Head Assefa Wubeshet on his part said that the Factory has 500 workers and it strictly follows the set standards of ILO. The management is willing to work with health and safety issues, to organize a seminar/workshop or any other educational program on HIV and AIDS for workers.
Besides, the factory’s employees practice the Kaizen principles at each work day for fifteen minutes because it creates continuous improvement; and positive changes which can yield significant outcomes.
The principle is helpful to share experiences not only with productivity but also with health matters. As it was developed in the manufacturing sector to lower defects, eliminate wastes and boost productivity, increase accountability and promote innovation.
“As per the agreement with the Board of the Factory, we have established a health committee that operates to support employees in times of sickness, providing financial assistance and physiological support,” he noted.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 17 DECEMBER 2022
