The Department of Labour (DoL) has appealed to employers to use the set of guidelines developed last year through stakeholder inputs to develop their human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) policies in order to manage the scourge in the workplace.
Addressing the first in a series of department’s planned national Employment Equity (EE) Road-Shows on Revised Code of Good Practice on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, DoL’s Deputy Director at EE Directorate Masilo Lefika urged employers to nurture the unveiled policy guidelines and close gaps where they exist, while engaging stakeholders in order to eliminate unfair discrimination and ensure equal treatment of workers in the work place.
Lefika reiterated that the key objective of the code was elimination of unfair discrimination and the stigma in the workplace to ensure decent working environment for workers.
The newly revised Code of Good Practice on HIV and AIDS covers aspects such as the scope of the disease, key principles of the code, counselling, confidentiality and disclosure, promotion of safe working environment, management of HIV and AIDS plus development of policies.
The presentation of Department of Labour’s Revised Code of Good Practice on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work was held at the Southern Sun Hotel, in Pretoria. Tomorrow, 15 August the second briefing will be held at Cedar Park Conference Centre in Woodmead at 10h00.
The road-shows are to be conducted throughout the country’s major centres. The purpose of the Road-shows is to present the revised Code of Good practice on HIV and AIDS and the world of work and to remind employers about this year’s Employment Equity Reporting.
Lefika said while the goal was to develop and promote safe working environment (s), “this means that employees with HIV and AIDS may not be dismissed on the basis of their status”.
This year’s road-shows are held under the theme: ‘Bridging the equity gap’ - are aimed at employers or heads of companies, assigned senior managers, consultative forum members, human resources practitioners, trade unions, employees, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rating agencies and community constituencies.
Meanwhile, Tshililo Mothelo, an official of DoL announced that EE reporting for 2012 was expected to reach an all-time high at 98%, following a rise from 90% in 2010 to 95% in 2011.
The reporting timeframes for this year are as follows: the manual submissions for EE reporting will open on 1 September 2012 and close on 1 October 2012. Posted or hand-delivered EE reports should reach the department by no later than 1 October 2012.
While those reporting online submissions for 2012 opens on 1 September 2012 and closes on 15 January 2013.
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Department of Labour appeals to employers to engage stakeholders to develop and implement HIV and AIDS policies
