GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour Hon. Cornelius de Weever recently launched the country's first National HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy.
Minister De Weever has described the moment as a historic one for the 600+ families affected by their loves ones who are living with HIV/AIDS.
"Another historic moment is when the Chamber of Commerce was the first to sign an HIV/AIDS workplace policy when I was a board member on their behalf. I presented a draft HIV/AIDS workplace policy for government to then Commissioner of Health Franklin Meyers.
"We have now come full circle and as Minister I have the privilege to launch the HIV/AIDS workplace policy for all civil servants. I will like to call on all government owned companies, all Non-Governmental Organizations, all unions, all [red] business and businesses in general to join us by implementing their own HIV/AIDS workplace policy," Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Hon. Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday.
The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is a framework for action by government, employers and workers to deal effectively with HIV/AIDS at the workplace.
The policy takes into consideration the effects of HIV/AIDS on the most productive segment of the workforce and as such, views the problems associated with HIV/AIDS in terms of the significant negative implications they hold for the economic and national development of the country.
The purpose of the policy is to facilitate the development of a working environment that protects the rights of workers regardless of their HIV status. This includes all workers irrespective of where they work.
Sint Maarten has joined other countries around the globe in the observance of World AIDS Day 2012. In connection with this observance, the National HIV Workplace Policy was launched.
The Department of Labour in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team has worked diligently throughout the year, with public and private sector stakeholders, to develop the very first HIV-related national policy for the workplace as part of the on-going implementation of the national HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2012-2016.
The HIV Workplace Policy relates to policies and programmes to protect workers living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, and to assist in reducing the spread of HIV and the prevention of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination.
Those who spoke at the launch that took place in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall were HIV/AIDS Programme Manager Suzette Moses-Burton, Secretary General Jorien Wuite, Head of the Labour Department Rafael Boasman and HIV/AIDS Project Officer Margje Troost.
