Workplace HIV programmes
The HIV/AIDS Road Maps, which offer guidelines on implementation of HIV/AIDS activities at the work place, have been implemented in the various countries and reports on progress submitted on a quarterly basis. Unilever companies in the region networking and collaborating with other business partners in addressing issues on HIV/AIDS. – UUL partnering with UNAIDS, Standard Chartered Bank to energise the business forum. – UKL supports the activities of the HIV/AIDS Business Council.
HIV/AIDS induction module is now a formal part of the induction programme for all new employees. – The Company doctor and the Nursing sister provide both written and verbal information to all new recruits. Company HIV/AIDS committees have been launched – Membership is drawn from the various functions of the company and quarterly meetings are held to review HIV/AIDS programmes.
Awareness, availability and advocacy of VCT – Experts on HIV/AIDS invited to make presentations to managers on VCT. –Employees are encouraged visit VCT centre on site.
Extension of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to those in need was raised. Monitor VCT and ART programme and management of opportunistic illnesses
We have peer educators whose roles include:
- Conducting one to one meetings between the peer educator and his/her peers to discuss HIV, AIDS and related issues.
- Facilitating Group discussion meetings with employees in their respective Departments/Sections/zones( at least once a month)
- Displaying posters and other educational materials.
- To distributing condoms and educational materials.
- To refer peers for VCT services and STI treatment.
Sustain awareness – ignorance is expensive drive an aggressive VCT campaign for employees.
Unilever Tea Kenya Limited has won the world's top award for it's fight agains AIDS in the workplace. I a survey conducted by the New York-based Global Business Coalition, Unilever's committment and effective action was the best, in any sector in any country. The Award recognizes education and action to prevent AIDS, and both the medical and social support to HIV-positive employees.
Unilever Tea Kenya won the GBC workplace Award for it's innovative implementation of AIDS prevention and education programmes benefiting it's workforce in Kenya. Unilever Tea has no fewer than 26 distinct HIV intervention strategies, including:
- Raising AIDS awareness among it's employees through various educational campaigns.
- Providing AIDS prevention material to it's employees to reduce the risk of sexual and maternal transmission of the virus.
- Offering non-discriminatory healthcare to people living with HIV/AIDS, including antiretroviral therapy and voluntary counseling and testing; and
- Collaborating with partners at a local level to bring it's programmes into the wider community.
At the awards ceremony, Richard Fairburn, CEO of Unilever Tea Kenya commented that 'this major award is a great credit to the UTK team in Kenya and would not have been achieved without the passion, dedication and commitment of our HR, medical and HIV counseling staff. We are very proud and honoured to receive ths award and remain totally committed to sharing our businesses and local communities'
