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AFRICA: Labour force weakened by AIDS
IRIN PlusNews
July 02, 2004

http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=3598

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG- The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says an estimated 6,000 youths are infected with HIV/AIDS daily, which will have devastating effects on the labour force in high-prevalence African countries.

At the launch of the 'ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work' in three Nigerian languages, ILO Regional Director Cornelius Dzakpasu said the disease had reduced the labour force in such countries by 20 percent, resulting in lower productivity and posing a great challenge to economic growth.

In response to this challenge, the labour organisation had adopted the Code in 2001 to "help safeguard the conditions of decent work and protect the rights and dignity of workers and people living with HIV/AIDS".

Dzakpasu described the Code as "a pioneering instrument that addresses present problems and anticipates future consequences of the pandemic and its impact in the world of work".

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