Ethiopian Affiliate reaches out to hundreds of construction workers via HIV/AIDS Workplace Activities.

Equipped with baseline information collected from the questionnaires administered at workplaces, Ethiopian Industrial Federation of Construction, Wood Union (EIFCWU), disseminated information on HIV/AIDs prevention and control to hundreds of construction workers at various workplaces.

It carried awareness education to 106 workers in Wonji Area of Oromia Region and provided insights to members on information on workplace HIV/AIDs policies, awareness on use of condom and importance of taking voluntary counseling and testing (VCT).

In southern Ethiopia it has conducted training to 156 construction workers working under Southern Roads Authority. Within its structure it has consolidated 70 leadership members for HIV/AIDs Coffee awareness ceremony where information on the HIV/AIDS draft policy was disseminated.

As a way forward to addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the Union through its draft policy is proposing a culture of negotiation and dialogue, where there is open exchange of ideas and procedures, fostering partnerships and developing a system of grievance handling at workplace. In addition it recognizes regular peer education, establishment of HIV/AIDS committees’ development of annual work plans and engaging social partners in implementation of HIV/AIDS activities at work places.