Audrey Hinchcliffe, president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Executives of 17 companies have signed a 'corporate values statement', committing to taking steps to eradicate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in their workplaces.

The group has identified focus areas for sharing best practices, and is laying the groundwork for creating a national business council to act as a full partner with government and non-governmental organisations to support the national HIV/AIDS programme.

It is expected that council will be launched September 20.

According to a release from the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), stigma and discrimination, are economic challenges as well as an obstacle to prevention and treatment.

The Jamaican business sector, JEF said, has a vital role to play in limiting the spread of HIV, and the impact of the epidemic, and a growing number of companies are taking up the challenge.

"Addressing HIV stigma and discrimination is a critical strategic investment in the long-term growth and profitability of every industry and every company in Jamaica," said Audrey Hinchcliffe, chief executive officer of Manpower and Maintenance Services Ltd., and president of the JEF.

"Addressing HIV/AIDS, therefore, has a direct impact on this country's economic future" she added.

Unaware population

About 1.5 per cent of Jamaica's adult population - or about 25,000 people - are estimated by the Ministry of Health to be HIV positive, and 60 per cent of them are believed to be unaware of their status.

HIV/AIDS is having its greatest impact on Jamaicans aged 15 to 49 years, the peak employment age, and about one in four Jamaican workplaces has an HIV-positive employee.

No coverage

But in a survey conducted in February for JEF among companies with a total of about 23,000 employees, 62 per cent were not covered by HIV-specific workplace policies.

Managers reported having few if any opportunities to share best practices on dealing with HIV/AIDS in the workplace, and 13 per cent of the companies said they would not hire applicants who disclosed an HIV-positive status.

"We must broaden cooperation and partnership among companies in order to protect employees, promote the interests of employers and speed the economic development of Jamaica at the same time," said Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, executive director of the JEF.