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Workplace HIV and AIDS
Policies |
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In
2006, The Labour Code No. 5 of 2006 was amended
to include HIV and AIDS management in the
workplace, obligating every employer to meet
certain standards, in terms of workplace
policies and programmes.
For the SME or small and medium enterprises
sector there has been a limited commensurate
response, however. Whether operating in
industry, commerce, agri-business or trade, SME
employers and employees find it difficult to
comply with the new legislation or, indeed, to
take action in any form.
One of the main reasons for this was that they
lacked information and guidance – information
and guidance that was tailored and targeted to
the specific needs of the sector. So very little
progress was made whilst, at the same time, the
sector struggled with ever-increasing challenges
as a result of HIV and AIDS. Imagine the effect
on a small enterprise if the owner falls ill
with an AIDS-related condition. Imagine what
will happen if two or three employees in such an
enterprise are constantly off work due to their
own ill health or because they are caring for
someone at home who is very sick. Imagine what
happens to a household when the breadwinner, who
has been working for a small business, which has
no benefits for its staff, dies. Even for large
companies these realities are difficult to deal
with, but, for small operations, they can, quite
literally, spell disaster.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives
and Marketing is responsible for regulating and
supporting the SME sector in Lesotho. So, when
it became clear that the epidemic was
threatening the very survival of many SMEs, the
Ministry examined the reasons and resolved to
commission a number of products to bridge the
information and guidance gap.
The first is a booklet, which is a guide for use
by employers; the second is a poster that
contains key information for SMEs and can be
displayed in small workplaces; and the third is
a pamphlet with simple but powerful messages for
employees working in small businesses. Copies
are available from the One Stop Shop,
Information Officer, MTICM and MTICM District
Offices and can be downloaded below. |
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