THE Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is hosting a three-day Peer Educators Workshop on HIV/AIDS with the objective of developing a pool of trained Peer Educators from union members; provide more trained persons to deal with HIV/AIDS related issues on the job; and increase the knowledge and skills needed for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The workshop which commenced yesterday at Hotel Tower, Main Street, Georgetown, is being facilitated by a representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Ms. Sonia King.

Speaking at the opening of the exercise, Coordinator of the programme, Mr. Sherwood Clarke, said that HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue hence the CCWU came up with this initiative to assist the health ministry in providing educational programmes.

He reiterated that HIV/AIDS is a major concern and affects workers around the world.

“Today we seek to impart the knowledge and skill to fight this disease…we are all stakeholders in this whole process,” he emphasised.

He said the CCWU is fighting for workers struggle for 60 years and has build a foster relationship with employers in the public sector to fight for justice and protect workers rights.

The coordinator observed that HIV/AIDS is a concern for the working class in Guyana; however this pandemic not only affects workers but their families.

“We have to go out and reach out to the workers families and the community…every stakeholder should be involved in this fight”, he urged.

Clarke also posited that HIV/AIDS is a leadership issue and all members should rally around their leadership to fight this epidemic and ‘unite to win this fight’.
Also he noted that as a responsible union, the CCWU should stand up for people who are living against HIV/AIDS and in this regard against stigma and discrimination.

One of the objectives of the exercise, he said, is to implement and develop a workplace policy and programme to engage all members in the fight against HIV.

Also, he informed the participants, that another plan is a workplace campaign which must be holistic for the working people of the country.

He encouraged the partakers to impart the knowledge they will gain from the programme by conducting workshops and interactions at their respective workplaces to help strengthen the initiative.

General Secretary of CCWU, Mr. Grantley Culbard, in brief remarks, said that HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence because persons affected can live for many years.

“Do not treat people who contracted the disease in a different way… they can still be a very valuable contribution to society,” he urged.

He said in the past, the Caribbean have been trying to shy way from confronting this disease and guilty of treating their comrades in a most distasteful way.

He said as a union, they felt they had a duty to enlighten others about HIV and have been able over time to convince employers that they should not condemn persons with HIV/AIDS.

He noted the importance of educating persons about the virus and the involvement of international organisations shows the significance to arresting the situation.

The General Secretary informed the group that a number of workshops were held in the past and the attitudes and approach of employers has change since they have recognize the importance of such programmes.

Culbard noted that the workshop is designed to enlighten them about the situation and develop a core of people within the union who can in their respective workplaces inform others.

“When we share knowledge, you will be able to deal with issues of the sort and become leader in this fight against HIV/AIDS to reduce the rate,” he explained.

“…… it threatens our well-being as working people,” Culbard exhorted.

Areas to be discussed during the three-day exercise include basic facts on HIV/AIDS; personal risk assessment; understanding stigma and discrimination; workplace policy and practice; and understanding and planning for peer educations.

In the closing session of the workshop, participants will evaluate the activities and say to what extent they have been able to increase their knowledge and skills to make a contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS.