NATIONAL WORKPLACE POLICY ON HIV AND AIDS
Policy · Labour
A Policy guides employers and employees in preventing and managing HIV and AIDS in workplaces. It targets public and private sector employers, workers with HIV, and health practitioners to enforce non-discrimination and confidentiality. This creates a supportive environment to reduce transmission and protect affected individuals.
NATIONAL WORKPLACE POLICY ON HIV AND AIDS
What Is This Policy?
A policy framework guiding employers and employees in managing HIV and AIDS in the workplace, including prevention, treatment support, non-discrimination, and confidentiality.
Who Does It Target?
All employers in public and private sectors Workers living with HIV or AIDS Occupational health practitioners Trade unions and workers organisations
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Prevent HIV transmission in workplace settings, protect workers living with HIV from discrimination, and provide a supportive workplace environment for affected employees.
Key Features
Non-Discrimination: Prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants on the basis of HIV status. Confidentiality: Protects the confidentiality of workers HIV status information held by employers. Prevention Programmes: Encourages workplace HIV prevention programmes including information sharing, condom provision, and testing. Treatment Support: Supports workers on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to maintain employment while managing their health.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - being mainstreamed into corporate HR policies Coverage: All workplaces in Nigeria Beneficiaries: Workers living with HIV; all employees and employers Funding: Federal Government; donor support
How to Access
Employers must implement the policy within their organisations Workers may access HIV testing and counselling referral through their workplace health unit Application method: Employers implement through HR policies. Contact Ministry of Labour for guidance materials.
Important Terms
Mandatory HIV testing as a condition of employment is illegal Disclosure of HIV status without consent is a violation of privacy rights Workers on ART cannot be dismissed on grounds of their HIV status
Official Resources
Website: https://www.labour.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment / Federal Ministry of Health
Legal Framework
Operates under the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014, the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004, the National Health Act 2014, the Employees Compensation Act 2010, and the National Policy on HIV/AIDS. Draws on the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (2001), UNAIDS and WHO workplace HIV guidelines, and ILO Convention No. 111 on discrimination.