The Human Resources Practitioners Association of Guyana (HRPAG) recently benefited from an International Labour Organisation (ILO) workshop dealing with policy formation to end stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

According to a press release the five-day workshop was an ILO/United States Department of Labour HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Project. The agenda included basic information on sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS, risk recognition and risk reduction strategies. The general impact of stigma and discrimination was also examined. The release said participants at the sessions were drawn from several companies including the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Sterling Products Limited the Georgetown Public Hospital Incorporated and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Participants were able to peruse several existing policies, site their strengths and weaknesses and posit opinions on how the corrected policies should read. HRPAG said the exercise was in keeping with the ILO ten-point HIV/AIDS workplace policy guideline. The Association also said it is grateful to the groups for giving its members the opportunity to improve their knowledge and awareness of these issues.