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Reaching the informal sector in concentrated epidemics

Richard Howard, ILO Regional Office Bangkok

Abstract no.A-641-0382-08354

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

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Goals of Workplace Programs

• Eliminate stigma and discrimination

• Reduce risk behaviors

• Increase uptake of services• Priority focus on voluntary HIV testing

linked to treatment and care

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

Stigma and Discrimination

PLHIV Currently employed

Dismissed from

employment due to HIV

status

Refused new employment opportunity due to HIV

status

Thailand 79.4% 32.2% 26.2%

China 64% 22.4% 14.8%

Sri Lanka 61.6% 11.1% 4%

Bangladesh 64.7% 43.2% 9.27%

Myanmar 76% 41% 15%

UNAIDS Stigma Index Surveys

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Targeting workplace programs

Asia and the Pacific epidemics are concentrated in key populations – MSM, SW and PID- MSM Prevalence 10 to 30 percent - SW 1 to 20%- PID 1- 37%- Mobile male workers and migrants – 1 – 2%

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

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Approach

• Advocacy, leadership, ownership

• NGO builds capacity and company manages programs

• Linkages with health services, VCT (mobile and referral), adherence support

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Workplace programs for Mobile Men: example Papua, Indonesia

• Partner with large scale resource companies – e.g. Pertamina• Policy• Prevention• Testing linked to care• Extend to community

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

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Bangkok Sauna Program

Targeting workers and customers- Guidelines on safe sauna- Policy at workplace level- Training for workers- Outreach and supplies for

customers

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

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Cambodia Entertainment Sector

• Documentation of labour rights violations – Apheda and WNU

• National policy on labour rights and entertainment work

• Model programs – safety and health and gender equality

Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV

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Conclusions

• Workplace programs can reach key population in the informal sector

• NGOs play a critical role

• Key to address human rights

• Size matters but reaching the right people with the right intervention if priority