3. Education and Training

Application And Scope

1. This policy covers all workers including casuals in the employ of the company.

Reasons for a Programme:

The parties acknowledge that workplace information and education programmes are essential to combat the spread of the epidemic and to foster greater tolerance for workers with HIV/AIDS. Effective education can contribute to the capacity of workers to protect themselves against HIV infection, significantly reduce HIV-related anxiety and stigmatisation, minimise disruption in the workplace, and bring about changes in attitude and behaviour.

Control of the Process:

1. The parties further acknowledge that unilaterally imposed or designed education and training programmes do not achieve their objectives. Therefore all education and training programmes, including the designation of trainers, will be developed and implemented under the joint control of the employer and trade union representatives and integrated into the Workplace Skills Plan.
2. The parties, therefore, agree to set up appropriate structures to design and implement the workplace HIV/AIDS programme.
3. All HIV/AIDS workplace structures will contain equal representation from management and unions.

Objectives of Education

The parties agree that the objectives of education programmes are to:

1. Create awareness of HIV/AIDS.
2. Promote safer sex.
3. Strengthen respect for women's rights.
4. Promote solidarity with people with HIV and AIDS.
5. Encourage people to get tested for HIV and to get counselling.
6. Ensure people know about basic options for treatment for HIV and AIDS, including for opportunistic diseases and STDs.
7. Promote understanding of workers' rights, including health care, testing and conditions of employment.
8. Remove the stigma and discrimination by co-workers, unions or employers against those infected.

Peer Educators and People Living with AIDS

1. The parties accept the general consensus amongst HIV/AIDS practitioners that peer educators play a crucial role in any education process, as do people living with HIV or AIDS in any awareness programme.
2. The parties will endeavour to encourage an appropriate number of employees to volunteer as peer educators; it is accepted that the appropriate number is in the region of 1 peer educator to every 50 employees or less in the case of smaller workplaces.
3. Peer educators will receive appropriate and relevant training as outlined above.
4. The parties will encourage people openly living with HIV or AIDS to conduct or participate in education, prevention and awareness programmes.

Education and Training Targets

The parties agree that education and training will be provided to:

• Workers.
• Shop stewards.
• Members of the Health and Safety Committee.
• Managers.
• Supervisors.
• Peer educators.

All Management and Employees will receive education and training on the following:

• Company policy on HIV/AIDS.
• The provisions of the employment codes on HIV/AIDS and the rights and duties of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• Current information regarding HIV/AIDS, including information about transmission, prevention, risk reduction, testing resources, workplace rights and responsibilities, other resources, services and referrals.
• How to assess personal risk and formulate behaviour change plans.
• The vulnerability of women to HIV and prevention strategies that can lessen this vulnerability.
• The need to support and accommodate people who are HIV-positive and to prevent stigmatization.
• The prevention and management of STIs and tuberculosis.
• Hygiene and proper nutrition.
• Safer sex practices, including instructions on the use of male and female condoms.
• The higher risk of infection for women and the rights of women both in the workplace and outside it.
• Testing facilities and processes.
• The rights of infected and affected employees (including confidentiality).
• The rights of employees to health, safety and compensation in the context of occupational exposure to HIV.
• How to treat a co-worker with HIV/AIDS.
• Treatment, care and support for infected employees.
• Specific staff benefits and entitlements.
• Processes and procedures to be followed in the event of exposure to human blood or body fluids, including:
• The provision of first aid;
• Universal Precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to human blood and other body fluids;
• The use of protective equipment;
• Rights to compensation in the event of an occupational incident.