Workshop for third step of HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy program
The Biltmore Plaza was the venue for the last of a three-step HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy program. It is a product of the Labour Department in collaboration with the National AIDS Commission aimed at providing information on the development and implementation of workplace policies. Following the Focal Point and Behaviour Change trainings held in the past few months, the Peer Education Training Session began today and according to the program coordinator, Hertha Gentle, it was the largest session so far with the highest number of companies signing. We also spoke to representatives from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Belize Natural Energy.
Hertha Gentle, Program Coordinator, Peer Educator Training
“Aside from the signing, what we’re doing today is to prepare peer educators from each organization who would then be able to go back to the organization and implement the policies that were developed. Generally from 2003 the Ministry of Labor has been working with the National Labor Organization on a project that was targeting work places. In 2007, we took over the program completely and what we have done is we have tried over the time to continue targeting new work places every time.”
Minerva Pinelo, Communications Officer, B.N.E.
“I believe that at this point as the company continues to grow, it is important for our personnel to increase their knowledge on HIV and AIDS and at the same time understand what are some of the risky behaviors but most importantly to look at some of behavior changes that can occur to promote a healthy workforce.”
Felix Canul, Health and Safety Officer, B.N.E.
“It’s to sort of get around the whole view of exactly what the HIV and AIDS situation is in Belize and also the information that we need to further develop ourselves as peer educators.”
Bernadette Ellis, Manager, HR/Admin/Finance, B.C.C.I.
“We’re very pleased today in that we have fourteen organizations participating in the last segment of this training program. And of that fourteen, nine of them signed their policy today, at the Chamber we’re very pleased with that.”
Delahnie Bain
“And how long has your policy been in the works?”
Bernadette Ellis
“Like I said, we have put in our policy since January 2008 and it has been incorporated in our employee policy manual but today we are officially signed it with the Labor Department and our C.E.O. was here this morning signing off on our policy.”
Delahnie Bain
“Can you say that you have been getting the interest that you’ve been hoping for to get these work policies in place and signed and everything?”
Hertha Gillett
“Honestly, it has been trickling in. It could be a whole lot more but we are still very grateful for the companies who have taken on the challenge to be a part of the program. But in that same light, we welcome any other organization out there from whatever sector, regardless of the number of employees they have in their places of work, for them to get on board along with us.”
All organizations that attended today’s workshop are members of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business coalition.
