cosatu statement on HIV drugs offer
COSATU welcomes the move by the South African Chamber of Business and Anglo American to provide cheap anti-Aids drugs to suffering employees. We view this as a huge step by the Business sector in the fight against this pandemic – something that the federation has been calling for. This is also part of the implementation of what Cosatu fought for at the Pretoria High Court against the international drug giants.
Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
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COSATU welcomes South African Chamber of
Business and Anglo American offer
COSATU welcomes the move by the South African
Chamber of Business and Anglo American to provide
cheap anti-Aids drugs to suffering employees. We
view this as a huge step by the Business sector in the
fight against this pandemic – something that the
federation has been calling for. This is also part of the
implementation of what Cosatu fought for at the
Pretoria High Court against the international drug
giants.
HIV/Aids is having a devastating economic impact in
this country; hence there is need for all sectors to
stand up and intensify the battle against it. We
therefore note with appreciation the effort by other
business sectors in this battle.
We further agree with the National Union of
Mineworkers that companies should not only focus on
drug issue – but the general approach to the problem,
such as changing the behaviour towards HIV/Aids
sufferers in the workplace.
Business should know that sustenance of good
emotional well being of employees living with HIV/Aids
is as crucial to good production as provision of
medical treatment. Our view is that the two cannot
function without each other. It is therefore important
that companies should supplement their medical
provision with counselling units.
COSATU calls all other South African companies,
especially big ones, to follow the example, for the
benefit of the country’s economy. We would like to
reiterate our general secretary’s statement that “a right
won but never implemented, is as bad as a right never
won at all”.
Siphiwe Mgcina
COSATU Spokesperson
[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911
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Visit the COSATU web site at http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/latest.html for copies of our most recent press statements. For the full archive go to: http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/archive.html.
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COSATU takes steps to ensure that any attachments are free from viruses. You should, however, carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment. COSATU accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses.
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