On the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) pledges to boost efforts to strengthen accountability by Canada and other G8 countries for promises they continue to make on HIV/AIDS.
Today, although the rate of new infections is slowing in a number of countries, five people still become infected with the disease for every two who start treatment.
In 2002 the CLC established its HIV/AIDS Labour Fund. Contributions from member unions, labour councils and provincial federations provide training and support to unions from the south to prevent AIDS, reducing its impacts on communities and addressing inequality and discrimination.
This is part of a sustained effort to support public advocacy which aims to convince governments and private or public institutions to more effectively support Universal Access goals for HIV/AIDS.
CLC President Ken Georgetti has pledged to urge the Canadian Government over the next two years to provide effective leadership on HIV/AIDS commitments, when Canada takes the G8 Presidency and organizes the Summit in Huntsville, Ontario.
“Over the next two years we aim to build pressure on our government by linking the activities of Canadian unions within this country to those of sister organizations and civil society allies abroad – especially in Africa – which will lobby Canadian embassies for better accountability on meeting the Universal Access goals, set for 2010 by the UN on AIDS treatment, prevention, care and support.”
The current global financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to cut back on resources needed to deliver on international commitments for AIDS. In 2006 the International Labour Organisation reported that 43 countries – 31 in sub-Saharan Africa – saw a slowing of their economic growth and job losses every year between 1992 and 2004.
Last year the G8 responded to pressure from Global Unions by agreeing to establish an accountability mechanism to ensure that promises – made by the world’s richest countries of the world to eradicate AIDS – are effectively met. The CLC wants the G8 to fully implement this decision and link it to Universal Access goals. It is calling on the Canadian government to lead the way in 2010.
A sustained global response to the AIDS epidemic has taken giant leaps forward since the first World AIDS Day but over two-thirds of people in low to middle income countries were still not receiving treatment by the end of 2007. Without treatment many will die within the next two years.
“We know from experience that those least able to afford treatment are those who will bear the greatest burden and pay the highest price”, said Georgetti.” We will endeavour to promote efforts through ongoing development cooperation to combat AIDS, especially through actions at the workplace.”