Jamaica 4-6 June, 2009

The HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a real threat to Caribbean nations due
to …
 “free movement of people” under the CSME
 migratory trends of Caribbean people, and
 The increasing number of regional tourists and business travelers

The Caribbean private sector is being engaged as a resource for
supplementing and promoting HIV/AIDS initiatives in the region

A Pan Caribbean Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS was established in
2005

The goal of the Coalition is to contribute to the reduction in the
prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the specific objectives are:
 1. support implementation of appropriate Workplace Policies
 2. encouraging the development of National Business Coalitions,
 3. bring private sector expertise to bear on initiatives within the national
expanded response to HIV/AIDS.
Increased
Absenteeism
Insurance Cover
Retirement Funds
Increased
staff turnover
Loss of
Skills
Increasing demands
for training and
recruitment
Loss of
tacit
knowledge
Declining
morale
HIV/AIDS in
the country
Health & Safety
Medical Assistance
Funeral Costs
Declining markets,
labour pool,
suppliers
Declining
re-investment
Declining
reliability
Increased Costs
Declining Profits
Source: UNAIDS (adapted by ILO)
Declining
intellectual
capital
Reduced
Foreign Direct
Investment
Declining
productivity

HIV is one of two health priority areas for the private sector- the
other being NCDs.

Is there a discernable approach underlying the different interventions
and how effective are the intervention strategies?
The strengths and weakness of the private sector and HIV/AIDS
interventions
What additional private sector actions can be pursued to combat the
spread of the pandemic?
What support are the private sector coalitions receiving from other
partners?




The majority of private sector organizations/coalitions are linked to National AIDS
Programmes

Private sector policies and strategies to inform HIV/AIDS programme evolve
around employee intervention, prevention, stigma and discrimination

Private sector relationships with national and regional programmes range from
policy to financial assistance

Education campaigns in different forms are the main activities of the private sector
programmes

an array of HIV/AIDS related programmes and projects

information dissemination/workshops/capacity building exercises

media and communication work

Support and guidance to the private sector organizations are received from
PANCAP/ILO/WORLD BANK et al

National Business Coalitions have been established in Barbados, Belize,
Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago
Strengths




Some organizations have a coherent
approach to tackling HIV/AIDS - a
well articulated multi pronged
approach to work place programmes
HIV/AIDS is now appearing o the
agenda of most private sector
organization.
There is a sustained/definitive focus
of private sector organization on
HIV/AIDS
Private sector recognizes the need to
allocate sufficient resources to ensure
an effective approach to its HIV work
programme as one of its internal
organizational matters.
Weaknesses

A majority of private sector
organizations do not have HIV/AIDS
programmes

Private sector responses to the
challenges posed by HIV are
inadequate

HIV/AIDS is not the direct focus of
private sector programmes

Intervention is limited to general
workplace policy

Interventions need more coordination

A majority of the private sector do not
have coherent strategies and
programmes

It welcomes the unique contribution and insights that people living with
HIV can bring to its work, both as staff and as partner organizations and
collaborators.

It is generally opposed to any form of discrimination on the basis of HIV
status and seeks to ensure this is implemented in its employment policy
and work programme.

It seeks to ensure that staff acquire the competence and resources to
respond to the challenges posed by HIV in their professional work and
personal lives as appropriate to specific circumstances and context.

Corporate commitment to HIV as a priority concern applies to all staff as
appropriate to their area of work. .

HIV must be understood as a priority development issue and not stay as
a health concern.

Caribbean HIV Response Goal


Business Sector Development Goal


The Caribbean is considered a strategic region for investment in both human and
financial capital. Maintain and enhance the attractiveness of the Caribbean region for
investment in both human and financial capital
Strategic Objective of Business Coalition


Reduce the prevalence and incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.
Healthy workforce available to contribute their talent and skills to the growth and
development of business sector and to the reduction of prevalence and incidence of HIV.
Specific Objectives
1. HIV sensitive workplace policies developed and in action in large and medium
enterprises.
2. Caribbean managers and employees knowledgeable about HIV and taking steps to know
their HIV status.
3. Human rights approach to HIV-related issues affecting workers adopted by all concerned.
4. Private sector contributing their management, marketing and other technical expertise to
National HIV/AIDS Response.

Use of model policies and generic tools:

Information & Knowledge Sharing:

Advocacy:

Partnerships:

The Pan Caribbean Executive Forum on HIV/AIDS is critical in
ensuring sustained leadership at the highest levels.

HIV infected employees & potential employees
including those not knowing their status)

Employers also benefit

The Private Sector

The Countries

We must seek to promote a more holistic response incorporating
health, social, economic, legislative, psychological dimensions. In this
regard, the private sector response will be informed by proven,
evidence based reports.

Ownership by the private sector is essential for long-term
effectiveness i.e. engaging in identifying , designing, planning,
implementing and reviewing workplace initiatives

No single organization can address the challenge of HIV on its own.
The magnitude and complexity of the pandemic require organizations
to work and collaborate as part of a multi sectoral response