Numsa will continue with 2002’s programme around HIV/Aids. But this year it will also train staff and shop stewards how to counsel workers that are HIV/Aids sufferers. Charlene Moodley spoke to Numsa’s HIV/Aids co-ordinator, Selinah Tyikwe, to find out more.
When will the courses be held?Regions will train staff and shop stewards between March and October this year.
What will the courses teach them? It will give them the skills of counselling workers, enable them to fight unfair discrimination at their workplace, make workers aware and empower them to negotiate HIV/Aids policies at work.
How useful do you think this programme will be?Employers are dismissing employees and workers do not know that there are laws that protect them.
What kind of qualities does a person need if he or she is to become an HIV/Aids counsellor? They must be available to help, committed, compassionate, trustworthy and be able to keep the worker’s confidentiality.
What role is expected of the people that will be trained? If a worker approaches one of these counsellors, they should be compassionate towards the worker. They could could also refer the worker to other places like clinics where workers can get professional help and be in a position to advise and represent workers where necessary.
What back up can Numsa’s HIV/Aids counsellors and HIV/Aids sufferers expect? We are busy negotiating with a group of doctors at a national level to help workers with problems. There is one doctor at the moment that we are using. We are looking forward to form employee assistance programmes in our regions for staff, and to demand from employers that they set up such structures in their workplace. Such programmes will help members to deal with how they can disclose this information to their families, help with family counselling as well as try to set up community structures.