07-X1408: ILO/USDOL Trade Union Project.

This activity has USG Team Botswana Internal Reference Number X1408. This activity links to the following: X1407 & X1409 & X1491.

The Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (2004) estimates that about 272,000 people are presently living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana. This corresponds to a prevalence of 37.3% among persons in the prime of their productive lives. The workplace offers a unique setting to reach this vital and productive segment of the population with tailored messages and programs to address stigma and discrimination and HIV prevention. At the same time, it also provides the infrastructure and entry points for expanded access to antiretroviral treatment, care and support.

It is envisaged that the advent of new labor laws allowing for the unionization of civil society organizations will lead to an increase in the membership of the umbrella unions as well as registration of new sectoral trade unions. In this regard, working closely with trade unions presents an opportunity to reach more workers and, by extension, their family members. These organizations have limited capacity to deal with a wide spectrum of social and labor issues, including HIV/AIDS. However, they have a great potential in playing a key role in the national and enterprise-level response to HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is of critical importance to sensitize and empower trade union leaders and their membership to fulfill this potential.

The main goal of this project will be to refer a greater number of workers to VCT, PMTCT and treatment services in collaboration with community-based partners. The key strategy will be to build up the capacity of trade unions at the national, sectoral and the enterprise level to promote, encourage and support their members in accessing and benefiting from community-based VCT, PMTCT and treatment services.

Building on the achievements of the ongoing ILO/U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Workplace Education Programme in Botswana and globally, the ILO proposes to extend its program to reach more workers and their families through the trade unions. Simultaneously, the close collaboration with relevant governmental institutions and employers' organizations will be maintained to ensure harmony. Support will continue to be provided to build the capacity within the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs (MLHA) to further develop and apply laws, policies and guidelines related to HIV/AIDS and employment. Once the GOB adopts a national policy on HIV/AIDS and employment, there will be a need to assist private sector enterprises to revise their respective polices and guidelines. As for trade unions, there is need to develop national and sectoral policies on HIV/AIDS. Action at the workplace level is at the centre of the ILO strategy, and a critical mass of union representatives from the partner enterprises as well as additional enterprises will be sensitized and trained as peer educators in support of behavior change programs. Interventions at enterprise level are critical to overcome discrimination through effective policy development and changing workers behavior that will encourage them to seek VCT, PMTCT and treatment services. A condom distribution program will further reinforce action by the unions.

The efforts of the ILO will continue to build on the foundations established by the USDOL/ILO Workplace Education Project in Botswana. Over the past two years, the project has focused on policy development to overcome employment-related stigma and discrimination, prevention through behavior change among some 6,000 workers and their families. Thirteen enterprises from the construction, textiles, wholesale and retail, and hospitality and tourism sectors are collaborating with the project. A country-specific Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) has been developed and baseline data have been collected.

Project activities in FY07 will include: •Baseline assessments to assess knowledge levels of the Trade Unions •Training of Trade Union leaders at both apex and sectoral levels on HIV/AIDS in the world of work and how to apply the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in the world of work •Appointment of HIV/AIDS Focal Point persons at both apex and sectoral levels •Development of national and sectoral trade union policy/guidelines on HIV/AIDS and the

world of work •Training of union representatives at enterprise level as peer educators to support behavior change programs •Training of labor and factory inspectors on how to conduct HIV/AIDS audits •Identification of community-based prevention, VCT, PMTCT and treatment services and establishment of arrangements for referral and support of workers to these services.

The program will utilize the existing functional infrastructure of the ILO/USDOL project and the collaborative arrangements between the MLHA and workers organizations. The tripartite Project Advisory Board will give strategic guidance to the program while the day-to-day management of the program will rest with the program Secretariat. The Secretariat comprises of the National Project Coordinator, Project Assistant and driver/ messenger. ILO will provide technical backstopping and expertise as well as administrative support in the implementation of the program components. The program builds on the ILO's comparative advantages: •Tripartite structure bringing governments, employers and workers together; •Co-sponsorship of UNAIDS; •Rich history in standard setting for the world of work; •Trust relationships established and access to enterprises and workers; •Expertise in many related sectors, from occupational safety and health to social security; •Global network of field offices and experience in technical cooperation; •Already developed and piloted BCC materials for workplace use; •An array of resource material, manuals and guidelines for programming; and implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation components.

The ILO will monitor the program through missions, internal reviews, and regular reporting.