Anglo American will remain at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS by committing to extend its leading workplace care, support and treatment programme to the dependants of employees. This substantial commitment builds on what is already the world’s largest HIV/AIDS workplace voluntary counselling, testing and treatment program, established when Anglo American became the first large employer in Southern Africa to provide free anti-retroviral treatment to employees in 2002. Reaching the dependants of all employees will be a considerable challenge, particularly where families live in remote areas, far from Anglo American treatment centres. Nevertheless, medical staff will endeavour to reach those most in need first and then broaden the base over time, such that all dependants enjoy the same level of HIV/AIDS care, support and treatment that is currently available to all employees.
Furthermore, Anglo American has committed to extend voluntary counselling and testing to its contractor workforce and will endeavour to ensure that every HIV positive contractor can access a programme of care, support and treatment. Anglo American will also continue to make every effort to ensure that HIV positive employees leaving the company for whatever reason are supported in finding an alternative source of care, support and treatment.
Throughout Anglo American’s operations in Southern Africa, South America, China and the UK, employees are marking World AIDS Day by participating in further awareness raising initiatives. Furthermore, the President of COSATU, the largest trade union federation in South Africa, will carry out a public HIV test together with senior members of the Anglo Coal management team at the Anglo Coal Hospital in Emalahleni, Witbank, South Africa. Anglo American staff in London all received information about HIV/AIDS and were offered access to free confidential testing and counselling at their workplace.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American and Chair of the Global Business Coalition on HIV & AIDS, said “Important gains have been made in the fight against the HIV pandemic but it still remains one of the greatest threats to health in human history. It has taken a major toll on lives in Africa but it poses a growing threat in other countries. We are committed not only to addressing the epidemic amongst our workforce but also increasingly amongst dependants and affected communities.”
Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American, said “Anglo American’s efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS are world class and we can be proud of the lead that we have taken amongst businesses worldwide. However, infection rates continue to climb in many countries within and beyond Africa, including in the UK, and we must continue to ensure that we spread our experience of tackling HIV/AIDS across our operations globally and to innovate in order to provide effective solutions within a confidential environment and with zero tolerance of discrimination.”
