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Ms. Patricia Nyman, the Gender Coordinator of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers (SACCAWU), told workers at Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg that stigma was the biggest killer for persons living with HIV/AIDS. “If we can get rid of the stigma we attach to HIV/AIDS, we can save a lot of lives. We have to change how we view persons infected with HIV,” she said.

She thanked the hotel management for their commitment to HIV issues. The meeting was attended by the hotel’s human resource manager.

And SACCAWU shop steward at Birchwood Hotel Ms. Thulile Motsamai urged workers to take advantage of the HIV education programmes, support group and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) facilities that are being introduced by the company. “Get tested before it is too late. Now is the moment, now is the time. HIV does not kill if you know in time and get treatment,” she said.

SACCAWU Educator Mike urged the workers to “take charge of our lives, build families and heal the nation. We should be involved in HIV advocacy work and take interest in the needs of the most vulnerable people – the women, girls and orphans. If you are HIV positive it does not mean that your human rights no longer exist. You have the same rights as any other worker.”

And UNI Africa Communications Officer John Musonda told the meeting that behavioural change was vital in addressing the HIV pandemic. “But behavioural change can only come about if the right information is given to people on how best they can protect themselves from HIV infection. And infected persons should reach out for help. There are more people now living with HIV than last year because more people are receiving life-saving drugs. Partnerships with employers are important to bring medication and support to workers living with HIV/AIDS.”

And SASBO the Finance Union held a workshop at which DVDs on HIV/AIDS were presented and the lighting of candles with the theme: “Know your Status. I am Responsible, We are Responsible and SASBO is Responsible.”

According to the latest UNAIDS/WHO figures 33.4 million people are living with HIV globally, 22.4 million of them in sub-Sahara Africa.

Forty-four per cent of people in need of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) are getting them is sub-Sahara Africa.

And programmes for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmissions (PMTCT) have reached 33 per cent. Botswana has been praised for reaching 80 per cent of treatment to HIV/AIDS sufferers.