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Grim picture of AIDS in the workplace

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's Department of Labour has painted a grim picture of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the country's most productive age groups, the local Mail and Guardian reported on Thursday.

    The department's newly released guidelines on HIV/AIDS have forecast that 3 percent, or some 500,000, of South Africa's workforce could succumb to AIDS-related illnesses by 2010.

    "HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on all South African workplaces and the economy. Its impact can be seen through an
    increase in absenteeism and sick leave, staff turnover and lower staff morale," the Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana, said.

    The guidelines stated that without effective intervention, the life expectancy of males was expected to drop to 43 years by 2005 and 38 years by 2010, with that of females dropping to 43 years by 2005 and 37 years by 2010.

    Mdladlana said the guidelines would help to equip employers, workers and trade unions to deal with the impact of the pandemic.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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