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Address by COSATU 2nd Vice President Joyce Pekane to the2nd National Conference for People Living with HIV / AIDS9 March 2000 |
COSATU is most honoured by the invitation to be part of the 2nd National Conference for People Living with HIV / AIDS because we believe that AIDS is a trade union issue and must be discussed and placed on the agendas of all union meetings. We have committed ourselves to campaign for HIV prevention, care and treatment with the same determination and energy with which we fight many other working class struggles. COSATU has also committed to work in partnership with other trade unions, government, business and organs of civil society in the fight against the disease.
We began the campaign against HIV and AIDS because of the relentless advance of the epidemic in South Africa. Out of the 3,5 million people infected with the HIV virus, majority of them is the economically active population and our members are part of this group.
The rapid spread of the disease is related to poverty and the lack of access to socio- economic rights such as housing, clean water and health care. The COSATU campaign for jobs is necessary because poor living conditions is one of the factors that make it difficult for many people to change behavior that puts them at risk of HIV infection. There is a link between poverty and unemployment as half of all the households in South Africa depend for their survival on money from a family member who works. On average one wage earner supports ten people. Because there is no social security system in South Africa, when one worker loses his/her job it affects whole families and communities. Currently about 37% of workers are unemployed, which is over 4,5 million people. Without addressing poverty the spread of HIV / AIDS will continue which will effect the economy of our country.
Amongst the most affected sectors are the Mining, Transport and Clothing Industries.
In the mining the migrant labour system is a contributing factor to HIV-infection because workers are separated from their families for long periods of time, coming a long way from our neighbouring countries. Single sex hostels where the mineworkers live are also a contributing as these workers are generally exposed to HIV through unsafe sex with commercial sex workers.
In the transport sector the truck drivers are particularly at risk of HIV infection. They travel long distances away from their families for extended periods of time. Overnight stops / resting spots where the drivers park, have commercial sex workers and they are exposed to HIV through unsafe sex.
The clothing / textile sector which employs mostly women workers is also effected because women are most vulnerable and are additionally at risk of HIV infection as it is difficult for them to negotiate having safe sex with their partners (power relations).
At the Special Congress of COSATU in August 1999 a declaration on HIV / AIDS was adopted. In October 1999 the COSATU EXCO (Executive Committee Meeting) adopted a programme of action on HIV / AIDS. On the 8th October 1999 at the SABC Partnership Against HIV / AIDS 1st Anniversary COSATU declared a pledge recommitting labour to a partnership with our Government and other organs of civil society to ensure that the spread of HIV / AIDS is stopped. In November 1999 the Central Executive Committee adopted a draft Work place Policy, which was to be used by the affiliates as a guide in the their Collective Bargaining negotiations for the year 2000 / 2001. At the beginning of 1999 COSATU participated in forming a Labour Task Team on HIV / AIDS. The Task Team has representatives from the three federations (COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU), with the intention of bringing on board the independent unions. The vision of the task team is to strengthen and promote the HIV / AIDS prevention, treatment and care initiatives of the South African Trade Union movement, through co-ordination, support advocacy and monitoring. Other organisations involved are the Solidarity Center, Department of Health, AIDS Law Project and USAID. COSATU is participating in TAC, as we believe that treatment cannot be separated from the prevention programmes. To campaign for affordable and quality treatments to be made available for people with HIV / AIDS and for the drug companies to reduce prices of essential drugs. To campaign for better health service for all and for people with HIV / AIDS to be treated with dignity and respect at hospitals and clinics. COSATU has a co-ordinating committee for HIV / AIDS, which consists of affiliates Health and Safety Co-ordinators, Regional Educators and the Gender Co-ordinating Committee.
The affiliates have their own programmes on prevention and awareness and others have established HIV / AIDS committees. They are presently engaged in establishing peer educators and developing cadres to fight HIV / AIDS.
Affiliates are also negotiating workplace policies with the employers. We see education of shop stewards very critical as discrimination of workers with HIV / AIDS has been a difficult issue for them to take up.
They are faced with daily dismissals of workers infected, workers placed on the retrenchment list because they are said to be unproductive.
Denial for these workers to take sick leaves and not covered by medical benefits.
Not promoted because he/she has AIDS, even if they are qualified. Workers personal health information is discussed without his or her permission.
Even co-workers refusing to work with persons who have AIDS. We believe that developing HIV / AIDS Policies together with the employers will assist in addressing discrimination.
In September 1999 at the beginning of the HIV / AIDS Programme of Action, COSATU produced 100,000 HIV / AIDS Booklets to be used by shop stewards at the workplaces.
The booklet provides basic information on HIV / AIDS and close to 5,000 shop stewards attended workshops nationally.
Affiliates have internal programmes where shop stewards are being trained on STDS, TB and other AIDS related diseases.
During the COSATU Awareness week that took place from 25 November 1999 to 10 December 1999, shop stewards held meetings in the workplaces where they addressed workers on the HIV / AIDS epidemic.
Regions and affiliates did blitzing at targeted work areas, stations and bus stops. Condoms and other material on HIV / AIDS from the D.O.H. were distributed. Affiliates continue ensuring that condoms are available at their Health Care Clinics, workplaces and at union meetings.
Leadership Workshop - March 2000
The Labour Task Team is preparing for a workshop to sensitize all union leaders on HIV / AIDS issues.
HIV / AIDS Resolution - April 2000
COSATU is presently preparing for the ICFTU Congress that is taking place during the first week of April in Durban, where a resolution on HIV / AIDS is to be adopted
Gender Forums - May 2000
These forums will be used to mobilise shop stewards for the Treatment P.O.A. and information will be disseminated to the workplaces.
Union Negotiations - June 2000
Around this month, unions will be concluding their Wage Negotiations and COSATU will access number of Workplace Policies negotiated.
Treatment - July 2000, HIV / AIDS Conference
Together with TAC, we are mobilising for demonstrations to take place during the HIV / AIDS Conference taking place in July.
Labour Law Conference - July 2000
We are also preparing for the Labour Law Conference taking place in July 2000.
COSATU National Congress - September 2000
The Congress will do an assessment of the HIV / AIDS Programme and further programmes will be adopted.
Health and Safety Co-ordinators Training - October 2000
Health and Safety co-ordinators will be trained during the month of October 2000.
HIV / AIDS AWARENESS PoA - November and December
The awareness programme that started last year will continue during November.
World AIDS Day - 1st December 2000
COSATU will prepare activities for World Aids day.
What has COSATU done?
Programmes:
Shop Steward Training
Awareness
Programme of Action:
