Home » Archives by category » Topic Categories » Legal » Safety & Workplace Violence (Page 2)

Views Of Workplace Sexual Harassment Amid NY Gov. Cuomo’s Resignation, Pew Research

Comments Off on Views Of Workplace Sexual Harassment Amid NY Gov. Cuomo’s Resignation, Pew Research
Views Of Workplace Sexual Harassment Amid NY Gov. Cuomo’s Resignation, Pew Research

Workplace sexual harassment is once again front and center with the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo amid allegations he sexually harassed at least 11 women. New York’s attorney general alleges Cuomo violated federal and state laws. The PEW Research Center took surveyed Americans regarding workplace sexual harassment three years ago just as the […]

Continue reading …

OSH specialists play a key role in COVID-19 prevention at workplaces

Comments Off on OSH specialists play a key role in COVID-19 prevention at workplaces
OSH specialists play a key role in COVID-19 prevention at workplaces

COVID-19 prevention at the workplace (c) ILO/F. Latief Around 100 occupational safety and health (OSH) specialists from the Indonesian Occupational Health Doctors Association (IDKI) actively participated in one-day ILO’s training on the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic at the workplaces. Held by end of July, the training, “Prevention of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases at and through Workplaces”, aimed to strengthen the preventive measures of COVID-19 at the enterprise level.During the training, the specialists learnt about methodologies and practices in assessing and identifying risk of infection at workplaces. They also deepened their knowledge on the transmission mechanisms of the pandemic and other infectious diseases as well as shared good examples of COVID-19 preventive measures at their workplaces.“The contribution of the participating OSH specialists will improve recommended preventive practices to manage workplace safety and health,” said Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director in Indonesia. “The training will also enrich the capacity of specialists in assessing risks of COVID-19 in more than 1,500 workplaces targeted by the ILO’s Enhancing COVID-19 Prevention at and through Workplaces. Funded by the Government of Japan, the project facilitates a series of webinars to build dialogues and communications to maintain continued knowledge and strengthen capacity of relevant stakeholders to ensure business continuity and employment in the midst of a pandemic. The project will strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, OSH professionals as well as representatives of enterprises and workers to effectively deal with today’s pandemic and other OSH challenges.The training session invited Dr. Yuka Ujita, ILO’s Senior Specialist on OSH to provide a lecture on methods and control in handling infectious diseases in the workplace as well as in implementing effective early warning system. She highlighted four important topics: COVID-19 risk assessment and control at workplace, integration of COVID-19 response in the OSH management system, action points for safe return to work and key tips for OSH trainers.She also recommended the utilization of the hierarchy of controls, a system that labels and prioritizes the risk controls from the most to least effective. “We have to start by enforcing the engineering and administrative control. We also need to promote changes in work policy or procedures to reduce or minimize exposures to hazard through the implementation of teleworking and shift arrangement, social distancing and good hygiene and infection control practices,” explained Dr. Ujita.Abdul Hakim, ILO’s National Project Officer, concluded the training with the explanation of the project’s workflow of the risk assessment service, as well as tasks and responsibilities of the OSH specialists contributed to enable them identify infection risks in the targeted workplaces. “Prevention and information dissemination at workplace are key to address virus prevention beyond the workers and improve health literacy about COVID-19 that, in turn, will protect businesses, workers and wider communities from the spread of COVID-19 and will put the economy on a stronger footing for everyone.”

Continue reading …

Safe workplaces protect both workers and businesses

Comments Off on Safe workplaces protect both workers and businesses

Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia is still facing a challenge, with the number of new cases still on the upward trend. As the crisis continues to threaten many facets of society, efforts have been made to keep the economy running in a time of health crisis — from comprehensive fiscal stimulus to the issuance of workplace health protocols in order to mitigate the transmission of virus and protect workers as much as possible.A question remains: amidst all the efforts and lingering concerns against the pandemic, how should we all strike a balance in maintaining economic activities while making workplaces safe? The ILO attempted to gather perspectives from key labour actors to find the answer through a webinar titled: Business and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reducing Infection Risks at Workplaces” on 6 July. The webinar presented the representatives from the Ministry of Manpower, the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo), Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Union (KSBSI) and the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI). The webinar was held as part of the launch of the new project titled “Enhancing COVID-19 Prevention at and through Workplaces”, funded by the Government of Japan. The Project was officially launched by Dra. Haiyani Rumondang, M.A, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of the Ministry of Manpower, H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia and Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of ILO in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The Project, running until March 2022, marked the collaboration between the Government of Indonesia and Japan, with support of the ILO, to promote job creation by enhancing COVID-19 prevention and improving safety and health for workers, which is an indispensable precondition to business re-opening, continuation and expansion. The project also aims to strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, OSH professionals as well as representatives of enterprises and workers to effectively deal with today’s pandemic and other occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges.Workplaces as the frontline to safeguard workers Joining from Bangkok, Dr Yuka Ujika, ILO’s Specialist on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), explained during the webinar that workplaces have a role in curving the pandemic by mitigating the risk of virus transmission, serving as an information hub on prevention and sharing good practices beyond workplaces. “Workplaces can play their roles by enhancing the capacity of workers and employers, as well as by strengthening occupational health service through the promotion of preventive culture, application of risk assessment and control and the development of OSH management system,” said Dr Ujita. Workplaces can play their roles by enhancing the capacity of workers and employers, as well as by strengthening occupational health service through the promotion of preventive culture, application of risk assessment and control and the development of OSH management system.” Dr Yuka Ujika, ILO’s Specialist on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Reaffirming Dr. Ujita’s statement on OSH management system, Yuli Adiratna, Director of Labour Norms Examination of Ministry of Manpower, emphasized that workplaces should integrate their preventive measures into their OSH programme, while at the same time, empowering the formation of company’s OSH Committee (P2K3) and optimizing the function of occupational health services. Meanwhile, from the perspective of the employers, dr. Rima Melati, OSH Committee of Apindo, stressed the importance of raising the workers’ and managements’ awareness about healthy behavioral change in respond to the pandemic. “Communication and socialization on COVID-19 protocols and good practices will reduce infection risk among workers at workplaces,” she said.In agreement, Elly Rosita Silaban, President of KSBSI, added that trade unions have an important role to facilitate communications with workers about the emerging risks and their impacts. “Organizing collective actions to enhance safety and health measures at work are already in motion for many workers, especially in terms of making sure their fellow workers are aware of the available vaccination scheme,” added Elly.The key role of workplaces as the frontline to safeguard the workers also underscored by Dr Eddy, Chair of the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI). As the implementing partner of the Project, IDKI would provide assistance to more than a thousand of workplaces in Indonesia to develop protocols for prevention and transmission COVID-19 at workplaces. “We are going to replicate good practices based on our experiences at the enterprise level in dealing with the pandemic,” he said.The webinar concluded with enthusiastic responses from enterprises and workers to sign up for ILO’s assessment service. The service is targeted to assist 1.500 workplaces in assessing COVID-19 infection risks and implemented actions plans to enhance the COVID-19 prevention measures based on advice of OSH doctors.

Continue reading …

Indonesia and Japan work hand in hand enhancing COVID-19 prevention at workplaces

Comments Off on Indonesia and Japan work hand in hand enhancing COVID-19 prevention at workplaces

A worker is sanitizing the company’s equipment as OSH measurements during the pandemic

JAKARTA (Joint Press Release) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Ministry of Manpower and the Government of Japan, is launching a new project today (6/7). The Project, “Enhancing COVID-19 Prevention at and through Workplaces”, aims to promote job creation by enhancing COVID-19 prevention and improving safety and health for workers, which is an indispensable precondition for business re-opening, continuation and expansion. The project will be implemented by full participation of employers and workers.
Through this collaborative project, we guide companies to give utmost priority to protect workers that, in turn, will sustain businesses.”
Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Manpower
The pandemic have affected around 29 million workers in Indonesia by August 2020, adding to the existing pool of about seven million jobseekers. 2.6 million workers lost their jobs and 24 million workers suffered from cuts in hours of work and wages due to the pandemic. Despite the on-going vaccination campaign that gives a hope of economic recovery, jobs recovery lags behind an economic upswing by a few years. The spread of new variants of COVID-19 have also threatened the scenario of quick recovery. A recent surge in new infection cases implies the corona virus pandemic is far from over. Helping Indonesian businesses to strengthen their workplace safety will prevent business closures and further job loss. Employers and workers need to act jointly and swiftly. Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Manpower, stated that ensuring the safe workplaces for business and workers have become a critical priority throughout the pandemic. “Through this collaborative project, we guide companies to give utmost priority to protect workers that, in turn, will sustain businesses. We also encourage both employer and workers to go beyond COVID-19 responses by building more resilient Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) mechanisms in all aspects of works,” she said.

The Launch of the Enhancing the Prevention of COVID-19 at and through Workplaces Project

Running until March 2022, the Project engages Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) and trade union confederations. The project will strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, OSH professionals as well as representatives of enterprises and workers to effectively deal with today’s pandemic and other OSH challenges. Increased health and hygiene culture at workplaces may help sustain business operations and accelerate an economic recovery— resuming the country’s march towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I believe this project will assist Indonesia to emerge stronger and more productive after the crisis by joint efforts by the stakeholders.”
Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste
The new project will be reaching out to at least 1,500 workplaces in partnership with the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI). Based on risk assessment, occupational doctors of IDKI will help companies generating action plans to improve measures against the spread of the virus. “In time of crisis like this, we are ready to devote our expertise to help both workers and companies. With the right measures, we can mitigate risks of the pandemic and ensure safety of workplaces,” stated Dr. Eddy, Chairperson of IDKI. OSH is the core element of decent work and the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. The ILO has accumulated not only global but also regional and national knowledge on OSH and has adopted more than 40 international standards and Codes of Practices on OSH. Therefore, Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, appraised the commitment shown by Indonesia to continue strengthening its OSH responses against the pandemic.
We are pleased to work with the ILO through this project to support Indonesia in strengthening its pandemic response capacity and building resilience to future crises.”
H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia
“We all share the common goal that is to safeguard both workers and businesses throughout the pandemic. The project will bring the government, workers, employers and OSH specialists to work together. I believe this project will assist Indonesia to emerge stronger and more productive after the crisis by joint efforts by the stakeholders,” Michiko said.H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, emphasized that the Government of Japan has been a long-lasting partner of the country. “Safety of workers and sustainability of businesses are key to the economic recovery and job security in the midst of pandemic. We are pleased to work with the ILO through this project to support Indonesia in strengthening its pandemic response capacity and building resilience to future crises.”For further information please contact:
Gita LinggaILO Communications OfficerEmail: gita@ilo.org

Continue reading …

Preventing and mitigating COVID-19 at work

Comments Off on Preventing and mitigating COVID-19 at work

The ILO and WHO publish a brief providing a literature review on common features of workplaces most affected by the new corona virus and the most effective measures adopted by countries to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 at work. The brief gives practical guidance for national and local authorities as well as employers and workers’ representatives […]

Continue reading …

Chemical safety

Comments Off on Chemical safety

Every year more than 1 billion workers are exposed to hazardous substances, including pollutants, dusts, vapours and fumes in their working environments. Many of these workers lose their life following such exposures, succumbing to fatal diseases, cancers and poisonings, or from fatal injuries following fires or explosions. We must also consider the additional burden that workers and their families face from non-fatal injuries resulting in disability, debilitating chronic diseases, and other health sequela, that unfortunately in many cases remain invisible. All of these deaths, injuries and illnesses are entirely preventable. Although the health effects of some occupational chemical exposures are well established, it is likely that the long-term health impacts of certain chemicals will only become evident in years to come. What is clear however, is that the utilisation of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and industrial processes will continue to increase in the coming years, leading to an even higher burden of disease and adverse consequences for the environment. To shed light on this global health crisis, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has conducted a global review of chemical exposures and health impacts in the world of work, in order to provide a state of the evidence towards policy efforts. The review highlights the most important trends for chemicals and the world of work, identifies ten priority chemicals of concern and presents the evidence for exposure, health effects, regional trends, gender considerations and priority actions for each of these substances. A chapter on priority action areas provides an essential overview of the way forward at different policy levels. Of all of the findings of the report, perhaps the most important take away is that we can no longer afford to be complacent in our global mismanagement of chemicals, and a new approach is urgently needed to protect the billions of workers exposed on a daily basis. Effective and evidence-based systems for the sound management of chemicals must be implemented at both the national and workplace level as a matter of urgency in order to protect workers, their families, and wider communities.

Continue reading …

Saint Lucia ratifies Convention No. 155 and its Protocol

Comments Off on Saint Lucia ratifies Convention No. 155 and its Protocol
Saint Lucia ratifies Convention No. 155 and its Protocol

On Friday 14 May 2021, a representative of the Government of Saint Lucia, Guy Mayers (the High Commissioner for Saint Lucia in the United Kingdom) presented the instruments of ratification for the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 to the ILO […]

Continue reading …

The resilience of Indonesia’s OSH System is tested during the pandemic

Comments Off on The resilience of Indonesia’s OSH System is tested during the pandemic

Health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic at workplace (c) ILO/F. Latief In conjunction with the commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO conducted two series of events: media briefing for journalists and media organizations and national occupational safety and health (OSH) webinar. Under the theme of “the Portrayal of OSH Investments in Indonesia”, the media briefing and webinar were organized on 27 and 29 April, respectively.
The unemployment benefit aims to provide unemployed workers with a temporary and partial income replacement, while severance pay aims to appreciate workers for long services.”
Hery Sutanto, Director for OSH Institutional Development of the Ministry of Manpower
These events aimed to raise the awareness about the importance of OSH investments and the vital role that safe workplaces played for crisis recovery and prevention. Drawing on the current lessons learned, the events also focused on strengthening national OSH systems as an effort to build resilience in dealing with the current COVID-19 and the future crises. The two events presented Yuka Ujita, ILO’s OSH specialist. She highlighted the ILO’s OSH latest report titled “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems”. The report examines risk prevention and management related to pandemic. It also outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by OSH regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.She also reminded that, as well as the health and care sectors, many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, particularly small and micro-sized enterprises. “The informal economy has difficulties to meet official OSH requirements due to lack of resources in adapting to the threats posed by the pandemic,” said Yuka.
The informal economy has difficulties to meet official OSH requirements due to lack of resources in adapting to the threats posed by the pandemic.”
Yuka Ujita, ILO’s OSH specialist
The two events also presented the OSH investments made by the Indonesian government. In addition to series of regulatory frameworks, Ministry of Manpower recently launched the new unemployment benefit as response to the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. “The unemployment benefit aims to provide unemployed workers with a temporary and partial income replacement, while severance pay aims to appreciate workers for long services,” stated Hery Sutanto, Director for OSH Institutional Development. Other investments included the establishment of COVID-19 control and prevention programme at the enterprise level, the development of the National OSH Strategy 2021-2025, labour inspection reform, OSH online platform for certification and capacity building and the regional OSH programmes at the ASEAN level. Perspectives of media on OSH Journalists should be aware of the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic (c) Tempo.co

Media organizations still focus on terrors and intimidation to journalists, but not yet focus on the overall OSH issues to better protect their journalists and media workers. As a result, media reportage have not linked the pandemic related issues to OSH and have not covered the pandemic issues in a comprehensive way.”
Wahyu Dhyatmika, Secretary General for the Association for Indonesian Media Cyber (AMSI) and Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, a leading media in Indonesia
The media briefing was jointly conducted with the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI) Jakarta. In addition to the ILO report and the government’s investments, the media briefing also discussed perspective of the media on OSH. Wahyu Dhyatmika, Secretary General for the Association for Indonesian Media Cyber (AMSI) and Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, a leading media in Indonesia, admitted that mass media organizations have not yet focused on OSH for their journalists and media workers. Media organization have not yet considered pandemic related issues as OSH issues. “Media organizations still focus on terrors and intimidation to journalists, but not yet focus on the overall OSH issues to better protect their journalists and media workers. As a result, media reportage have not linked the pandemic related issues to OSH and have not covered the pandemic issues in a comprehensive way,” said Wahyu.However, he added, some efforts have been made to improve the protection of journalists. One of them was through the publication of the guideline on safety protocols for journalists. “We hope to continue raising the awareness among journalists and media organizations about this important issue and this will be part of the policy of the National Press Council,” he added.Perspectives of workers and employers
OSH Webinar 2021 Complementing the explanation about the OSH resilience and investment, the OSH Webinar, jointly conducted with the Ministry of Manpower, highlighted joint efforts taken by both workers and employers. Fransiskus Sales Sudaryono, OSH Committee of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) and Djoko Wahyudi, Head of Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia of the Indonesian Muslims Trade Union Confederation (K-Sarbumusi), shared their experiences.
The government is committed to tackle COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Both employers and workers should be part of the commitment to accelerate the OSH implementation, invest in long-term OSH programmes and ensure both business sustainability as well as the protection of workers.”
Haiyani Rumondang, Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower
Fransiskus admitted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, companies tended to focus on safety issues and not on the health issues. However, to prevent the virus transmission at the workplace, company members of Apindo have now focused on both safety and health by establishing COVID-19 Task Force. Companies have also made the best use of technology to conduct health detection and contact tracing. “In addition to daily communications and health patrol at the enterprise level, we also use a mobile application to ensure workers’ health condition and to monitor distance and tracing. We work together with trade unions to protect workers and maintain business sustainability,” he said.Similar efforts were also shared by Djoko. “We work together with the management to integrate COVID-19 protocols into the company’s OSH policy of “zero accident and zero COVID-19 cases”. We also support work adjustments by ensuring physical distancing, better air circulation, sanitizing and so forth,” Djoko said.In addition to the policies and workplace adjustments, Djoko added, the trade union has also made efforts to support the welfare of workers and the surrounding communities. “We provide donations and social facilities for workers and we also ensure the safety of our surrounding communities by organizing the sanitation.”The active involvement of employers and workers was also the key message highlighted by Haiyani Rumondang, Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower, in her remarks. “The government is committed to tackle COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Both employers and workers should be part of the commitment to accelerate the OSH implementation, invest in long-term OSH programmes and ensure both business sustainability as well as the protection of workers.”

Continue reading …

ILO calls for resilient occupational safety and health systems for future emergencies

Comments Off on ILO calls for resilient occupational safety and health systems for future emergencies

© KB Mpofu / ILO GENEVA (ILO News) – Countries need to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems that would minimize the risks for everyone in the world of work in the event of future health emergencies, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a report, released on World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported. The report, Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems, examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures. It outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training. “There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment.” Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged workers in specific sectors, such as emergency, health and social care, have been particularly vulnerable to the risk of infection. According to data cited in the report, 7,000 health workers have died since the outbreak of the crisis, while 136 million health and social care workers are at risk of contracting COVID-19 through work. The pressures and risks facing health workers during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms. As well as the health and care sectors many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, when staff are in closed environments or spend time in close proximity with each other, including in shared accommodation or transport. In analyzing the health concerns arising from the dramatic increase in teleworking during the pandemic, the report says that while teleworking has been essential in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity and giving workers increased flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between work and private life. Sixty-five per cent of enterprises surveyed by the ILO and the G20 OSH Network reported that worker morale has been difficult to sustain while teleworking. The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic. In the informal economy, many of the 1.6 billion workers, especially in developing countries, have continued working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. This has put them at high risk of catching the virus, yet most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay. International labour standards (ILS) offer specific guidance on how to respond to these challenges, thereby reducing the risk of virus transmission in the workplace, the report says. They provide tools to implement OSH measures and to ensure that workers, employers and governments can maintain decent work, while adjusting to the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. ILS also encourage social dialogue as the best way to ensure that procedures and protocols are effectively implemented and accepted.

Continue reading …

Safer workplaces by integrating HIV and COVID-19 prevention programme

Comments Off on Safer workplaces by integrating HIV and COVID-19 prevention programme

COVID-19 testing conducted at the workplace The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened health systems and disrupted routine medical care for many people globally and nationally. As a result, many people living with HIV and other diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) are facing major barriers to accessing the care and the medicine they need to survive.The disruption caused by the pandemic may create conditions that facilitate the spread of HIV, as people may be unable to access services such as HIV testing and treatment. All of these changes could also make it more difficult to reach vulnerable populations.The ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI) recently launched a Guideline on COVID-19 Prevention and Control at Workplace. Understanding the importance of an integrated programme and ensuring the other health programme are not left behind, the Guideline has included key integrated measurements for the adjustment of prevention and handling of COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, among others: Confidentiality policy in relations to numerous daring consultation. An informed consent on health status disclosure, if certain conditions are required to inform people with HIV infected by COVID-19. An integrated campaign on HIV and COVID-19 and the usage of digital media. An integrated testing programme for HIV and COVID-19. A special intention given to people living with HIV who are vulnerable being infected by COVID-19. A multi month dispensing by giving ARV treatment for 3 months (not one month) to avoid repetitive visits to medical health services. Integrated programmes at company level Some companies have integrated their HIV and COVID-19 prevention and control programmes. The integrated programme at the company level show the evidence that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention programme at workplace remains feasible. Port workers and sea fares are vulnerable to HIV and COVID-19 An integrated programme was conducted at Tanjung Emas port, in Semarang, Central Java for two months in November-December 2020. The port manages at least 640 port workers and 3,000 mobile seafarers monthly. Due to their nature of works, seafarers and port workers—the majority of whom are male and mobile—are vulnerable to both HIV and COVID-19. The programme started with the integrated education and socialization programme on HIV and COVID-19 for all staff, including the port’s high-level management. This programme was conducted with support from the port health office and a local NGO deals with HIV issue, Kalandara Foundation, followed by a voluntarily HIV counselling and test (VCT@Work) programme. The VCT programme applied the COVID-19 protocols (physical distancing, mask wearing, sanitizing and so forth) with a participation of 182 seafarers and port workers. The programme also referred to ARV treatment for those who were diagnosed HIV positive. The programme concluded with the signing of a non-discriminatory policy at Tanjung Emas port by the Authority of Tanjung Emas Port, Indonesia National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) and the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPSI). The policy highlighted the rights of people living with HIV and people infected by COVID-19 from discrimination at workplace.At the company level, PT Cilegon Fabricators has successfully taken measures to integrate prevention programmes for both pandemics. Located in Serang, Banten, the company employs a total of 1,126 workers, of whom 1,100 are male workers.The integration programme was conducted in collaboration with the local primary health clinic and a local NGO deals with HIV issue, Kusuma Buana Foundation. The programme includes the combination of educational materials for both HIV and COVID-19, an integrated training programme for various departments, including the OSH team and an integrated testing programme for both VCT@work and rapid test. “With this current pandemic, we have integrated HIV prevention programme with COVID-19 programme. This is to ensure a safe workplace and a protection for both our workers and the management,” explained dr Irwan Wicaksono, HSE Manager and Company Doctor of PT Cilegon Fabricators.

Continue reading …