25 Aug 2010
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All about HIV/AIDS in the Workplace, New Employment Chapter on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS and Wages and more on Mywage Zambia
The Tripartite Consultative Labour Council has agreed to include a New Chapter on HIV/AIDS in the country’s Employment Act (CAP 268).
Until February, 2010, the Employment Act did not have a definite chapter on HIV/AIDS in Workplaces but the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council resolved to include a new and definite Chapter on HIV/AIDS in the Employment Act during its 18-20 February, 2010 Review of Labour Laws Meeting.
Respond to HIV/AIDS in the Workplace
The New Chapter on HIV/AIDS in the Employment Act will compel employers to respond to HIV/AIDS in the workplace, following observations that HIV/AIDS is a disease like any other and requires no special treatment.
The New Chapter on HIV/AIDS in the Employment Act will also compel employers to accept HIV as a disease that undermines productivity and henceforth respond effectively. The Chapter will also make it mandatory by law for companies to formulate comprehensive HIV/AIDS Workplace Policies.
According to the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE), “Both the Government and workers groups argued that there should be a provision in the Employment Act for employers to respond to HIV/AIDS in the work place. A New Chapter on HIV/AIDS has since been included”.
The Zambia Business Coalition has welcomed the introduction of a New Chapter on HIV/AIDS in the Employment Act, stating it would go a long way in addressing HIV-related problems in workplaces.
The Zambia Business Coalition comprises public and private companies and non-governmental organisations in Zambia which have come together to respond to HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact in places of work.
The coalition has to date a membership base of 75 companies from various business sectors all over the country.
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Find out more about HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy in Zambia.