CCWU hosting another HIV/AIDS awareness workshop

Thursday, August 9, 2007 – 3:13 pm

Source: Guyana Chronicle
CCWU (Clerical and Commercial Workers Union), in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the World Bank, yesterday began hosting another HIV/AIDS awareness workshop for employees under the theme ‘Healthy Bodies and Minds for Workers’.

CCWU HIV Project Coordinator, Mr. Sherwood Clarke said the main focus was on stigma and discrimination and development of workplace policies.

He said the objectives were to:

• reduce HIV/AIDS risk behaviour of targeted workers and families;
• increase awareness and use of available HIV/AIDS workplace services;
• reduce the level of stigma and discrimination against workers living with HIV/AIDS and
• increase knowledge and skills for monitoring HIV/AIDS workplace policies.

Clarke said the union extended its initiative to other unions so as to spread the message of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Guyana and stop discrimination.

The unions have the responsibility to protect the members always and all unions should be concerned about HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Put your commitment to HIV/AIDS,” he told the participants.

Clarke encouraged unions to have a clear understanding on HIV/AIDS matters so that workers can be comfortable and be assured they would not be discriminated against.

At the end of the two-day exercise, a feedback process will be conducted to glean what it has achieved within the Guyana HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project, he said.