HIV/AIDS eroding tourism assets 19/06/2007, Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator Cautioning that the island's human resource capital, one of the most important economic assets, is being eroded, executive director of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd unveiled cold facts regarding HIV/AIDS last Wednesday. She was speaking to stakeholders of the tourism industry during the launch of the Tourism Sector HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy at the Hilton Kingston. Speaking of the far-reaching impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Mrs. Coke-Lloyd reported on the views of the International Employers' Organisation, which saw the disease as not only a public health challenge, intertwined with complex social issues, but also as a looming economic disaster. "In the Caribbean, which is, unfortunately, recognised as having the second highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world, commitment, planning and action among the stakeholders is key to mitigating the negative effects of this devastating disease," she declared. unequivocal workplace issue According to her, the JEF recognised that HIV/AIDS was an unequivocal workplace issue, impacting workers and their families, enterprises, industries and by extension the Jamaican economy. "The potential of this disease to impact on both the quantum and quality of the current and future labour force is alarming, affecting people in their most productive years of life." Accordingly, she said, it leads to reduced earnings, increased care demand, higher expenditure in health care and premature death. She noted that the statistical data presented in the workplace policy lends credence to these facts, revealing that approximately 70 per cent of the total number of persons reported with AIDS in 2005 were in the age cohort of 25-49 years, which represents the core of the island's workforce. leading cause of death "In 2004, HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death for young women and men aged 15-24 years, our future labour force, our leaders of tomorrow." Jamaica's chief of epidemiology and HIV control, Dr. Peter Figueroa, who also spoke to the effect of the disease on the tourism industry, urged stakeholders to make sure to have condoms readily available, "Where people socialise and in the bathrooms of the guest rooms, right next to the shampoo and soap." Lauding the workplace policy as a very important step forward, he said he was encouraged to see the tangible progress being made in the sector. At the same time, he reminded those in attendance that five million people worldwide were infected with the debilitating disease in 2005, "Because most people don't carry condoms around with them and because the product remains stigmatised, there is still a discomfort in purchasing it. "Very often, people don't plan to have sex, it happens by intermingling." At the same time, he wants to encourage people to get tested. 19/06/2007 - Fonte: Hospitalityjamaica.com / http://hospitalityjamaica.com Spedisci questa pagina / Send this page / Envíar este pagina