Ministry of Labour re-initiates HIV/AIDS Policy in the workplace initiative

Published by BBNTEAM at February 10, 2023

Tags

Posted: Friday, February 10, 2023. 9:14 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On Thursday, the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the National AIDS Commission (NAC) reinitiated the HIV/AIDS Policy in the Workplace Initiative.

The Labour Department and the NAC held a certified training seminar in Belize City on February 1st, 2nd, and 8th, 2023, for 12 Belizean companies and organizations.

The Ministry says that the program will be extended nationwide in the coming year.

During the closing ceremony, the Ministry of Labour and NAC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with each participating company and organization.

The Ministry noted that the MOU seeks to ensure that businesses and organizations support the HIV/AIDS workplace initiatives and programs of the Government of Belize, the NAC, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

It will establish capacity development training, refresher training for all employees, a workplace testing initiative, and the development of an HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy.

Furthermore, it calls for organizations to provide HIV/AIDS counseling and information, commemorate World AIDS Day, as well as attend and participate in HIV/AIDS in the workplace conferences and forums.

“The ILO issued a code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the workplace in 2001. This code is critical and covers key principles that the Ministry of Labour uses as a guide along with Belize’s National AIDS Policy,” the Ministry added.

The Ministry further applauded participating organizations that signed the MOU.

Through capacity building and effective HIV/AIDS workplace policies, the ministry says that it will continue to engage companies and organizations across the country in an effort to reduce HIV transmissions, HIV-related stigma, and discrimination.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.