and Energy at the Mining Industry Tripartite HIV and AIDS summit at Indaba
Conference Centre and Hotel, Fourways
21 November 2006
Councillor Matshidiso Mfikoe from City of Johannesburg
The Chief Executive Officer of Mine Health and Safety Council, Ms Estelle
Solomons
The Chief Executive Officer of South African Business Coalition on HIV and
AIDS, Mr Brad Mears
Representatives from various labour movements
General managers and chief executive officers from different mining
companies
Mining Industry Tripartite HIV and AIDS Committees both principals and
technical
Mine health and safety inspectorate
Esteemed guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The face of the workplace in the mining industry has changed dramatically
over the past decade. An increasingly empowered and diverse workforce,
technological advancements, increased competition and globalisation have
created a new workplace reality that is substantially different to that of the
past. Helping your employees maintain their health and well-being is both a
moral and a hard business issue. The shift from a stress on negative issues
such as illness, to embracing the positive, the overall well-being of workers,
characterises the most successful strategies.
Mining companies are urged to employ specialist's employee assistance
practitioners in recognition of the importance of the function. The employee's
wellness programmes should include worker adjustments, organisational culture,
and involvement in team projects, fitness, work/life balance and mental
well-being. Interventions should include counselling, assistance with HIV and
AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, stress management, personal
development, stop-smoking sessions, disability support and flexible work
practices.
In today's complex business environment, drivers for appropriate and
effective work/life programmes have emerged, including talent retention and
attraction, absenteeism, stress, need for diversity and response to the needs
of different demographic groups. Statistics have also revealed that employees
rate the opportunity to have a balanced work and private life as a top
motivator for either leaving or taking a specific job. Work/life programmes aim
to create work environments that enhance the commitment of employees. In the
South African context, issues such as transformation, HIV and AIDS, women in
business and cultural diversity can be positively affected by the
implementation of such programmes.
South African Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS says certain sectors are
still feeling the effects of the pandemic, despite having workplace initiatives
in place. Citing last year's Bureau for Economic Research Survey, Coalition
Chief Executive Officer Mr Brad Mears said the mining, manufacturing
,transportation and finance industries were especially hard-hit. Although
transport and mining had been more directly affected by AIDS, losses were
mainly incurred in the financial sector when HIV positive clients and staff
became ill or died before paying off loans. The survey also pointed out that
companies employing predominantly semi unskilled workers had been harder hit.
"It does raise questions about what might have been done wrong with current
anti AIDS interventions, public private partnership has been highlighted as the
vehicle that will enable the better prevention and treatment initiatives within
the workplaces and communities", said Mears.
Today sees the second HIV and AIDS summit being held under the auspices of
the Mining Industry Tripartite HIV and AIDS Committee. This high level
committee comprises the state, labour and employers. It is committed to
combating the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the mining industry and the surrounding
communities.
The summit originates from the Mining Industry Tripartite HIV and AIDS
summit which was held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on 30 April 2003. From that
summit Declaration of Intent on HIV and AIDS emerged. The Declaration is
centred around the four pillars of HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan and should guide
the mining industry's response to the epidemic.
Ladies and gentlemen, this year's theme is "Progress on Declaration of
Intent of 2003". The following are the objectives:
* report back on progress made towards meeting commitments made on 30 April
2003
* to measure progress since 2003 summit
* to strengthen public private partnership
* to learn from the four topics of Declaration of Intent on HIV and AIDS
namely: Prevention; Treatment Care and Support; Socio-economic development as
well as Research, monitoring and evaluation
* to update HIV and AIDS policies and programmes in the mining industry.
The state, employers and employees will each present a paper focussing on
the four pillars of the HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan.
The summit will provide an all-inclusive update on issues of provision of
comprehensive HIV and AIDS care and treatment. The Mining Industry Tripartite
HIV and AIDS Committee members have included interactive sessions to provide
the opportunity for audience participation and debate. The programme will
therefore present an update on the comprehensive care for HIV and AIDS,
sexually transmitted infections and Tuberculosis including scientific advances
and programme implementation issues. As a result, the topics are relevant and
important not only for the mining industry but for South Africa's expanding
comprehensive care programme as well.
Covering all aspects of HIV and AIDS Care from early treatment to palliative
care and psycho social support, the summit will give delegates and managers of
AIDS service organisations the information they need to develop their care
strategies.
The summit programme features the keynote address by the Deputy President Ms
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, presentation of papers by the state, employer and
employees, progress update on HIV and AIDS policies and programmes. The invited
speakers will cover all aspects of the HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, including
focus on the provision of antiretroviral treatment.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to extend words of warm and hearty
welcome to all of you and wish to declare the Mining Industry Tripartite HIV
and AIDS summit of 2006 officially open. I trust you will find the summit very
stimulating and rewarding.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
21 November 2006
