Debilitating the workforce: employers move to cope with the global onslaught of AIDS.

In 2003, the United Nations AIDS Program reported that between 1.3 million and 1.9 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America. Three countries in the region--Guatemala, Honduras and Panama--have prevalence rates of over 1% (1 out of every 100 adults are infected), a scenario that experts believe could signal the beginning of a generalized epidemic with adverse effects on overall socioeconomic development goals. The costs to businesses operating in a generalized epidemic have been well documented. In Mexico, AIDS is already the fourth leading cause of death among men in their prime productive years.

Smart business leaders in Mexico and Latin America are recognizing the danger of ignoring the economic and social consequences of HIV/AIDS. Perhaps they've read the Harvard Business Review article "AIDS is your Business." Sydney Rosen and her colleagues argue that because HIV, unlike most diseases, strikes those in their most productive years, if left unabated it quickly begins to add to the costs of labor and to slow the growth rate of potential new markets. With an appropriate level of alarm and impeccable research to back their claim, they declare, "AIDS is destroying the twin rationales of globalization strategy: cheap labor and fast growing markets" and should move every company doing global business to do something about it.

Corporations in Asia and Africa such as Coca-Cola, Marriott, Shell and Heineken have moved decisively, developing policies to respond to this growing threat to their bottom line. In Mexico, a few companies have already begun to take leadership in developing similar policies. Though still in their infancy, workplace HIV/AIDS programs are already showing effectiveness on slowing the rates of transmission and decreasing costs to the company.

THWARTING DISASTER

Companies in Latin America could play an invaluable role and now have a window of opportunity to contribute to ensuring that Latin America will be spared, unlike Africa and Asia, the worst ravages of this epidemic. Basic workplace programs at this stage of the epidemic are less costly, generate goodwill and position your company as a socially responsible industry leader ... and save lives.

Workplace AIDS programs are individually tailored to meet the specific needs of the company and its workers. Companies should consider the availability of resources (financial, human and others), understand the nature and extent of the epidemic and identify unmet needs when designing programs.

Generally, comprehensive model HIV/AIDS programs in the workplace contain the following elements:

* Development, implementation and compliance monitoring of HIV/AIDS policies including anti-discrimination and confidentiality;

* Training and education on HIV/AIDS (e.g. transmission, prevention, reduction of HIV stigma, confidentiality) for managers, union leaders and workers;

* Access to confidential HIV testing with high-quality pre-and post-test counseling in the workplace;

* Activities to promote prevention and reduce stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Companies such as VW Brazil and Daimler Chrysler South Africa are also providing treatment and related health services to their workers. These companies did not need to become experts in AIDS to provide antiretroviral treatment. Instead, they are partnering with technical experts in state and national governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia and other sectors to help them develop policies, educate their workforce and implement effective care programs.

BUILDING AN AIDS POLICY

In Mexico, the "Policy Project" and the "AIDS Responsibility Project," with support from USAID and AMCHAM/MEXICO, are currently conducting a survey of the 25 top American companies to identify benchmarks on existing HIV/AIDS workplace policies.

The information obtained will serve to guide the development of appropriate workplace programs specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses and workers in Mexico.

The "Policy-Builder," an interactive, user-friendly software program was developed to help companies respond to HIV/AIDS in an appropriate, comprehensive, and effective way, in accordance with international standards and national laws. The Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia (CEMEFI), leader in the promotion of social corporate responsibility, together with other NGOs, is planning to conduct a series of workshops on the Policy-Builder for their members later this year. Numerous publications and practical "how-to" guides, notably "Workplace HIV Programs: An Action Guide for Managers," also exist. In addition, individualized, "hands-on" technical assistance is available from the Policy Project and other NGOs for companies wanting to explore subsequent steps.

For further information on the Policy-Builder or the survey being conducted by the AIDS Responsibility Project, please contact in Washington: Pablo M. Magaz POLICY Project 202-775-9680 [e-mail] www.policyproject.com

Commentary by Pablo M. Magaz