The SIYB programme has recently introduced new materials on HIV AIDS in response to feedback from stakeholders on the need to have a tool and intervention to effectively address the challenges arising from the epidemic and its impact on the workplace environment and productivity. This feedback has been coming from SIYB Trainers and Master Trainers who have been facing challenges from the field (entrepreneurs and BDS organizations) in responding to HIV / AIDS issues and how the epidemic impacts on entrepreneurs, their businesses and their families.

The new HIV / AIDS materials include the following;

1. HIV / AIDS Information and Facts booklet, which contains important information on the statistics and trends about the pandemic in Africa and other sub-regional countries as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Tanzania.
2. A synthesis of the impact of the issues on the small business, immediate and extended families, spouses and partners and the importance of succession planning for the future of the business and beneficiaries
3. How to deal with the problem at the workplace; the issue of managing relations with fellow employees, attitudes at work and how to treat affected workers in the business. For the entrepreneur, this booklet contains practical and useful strategies that can be employed in order to effectively manage the problem, which is now widespread, while staying within the limits of statutes.

The HIV / AIDS Information Booklet also contains a section on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and the relationship and difference to HIV / AIDS. There is also a section on the common myths (incorrect beliefs) about the HIV / AIDS

4. These issues are contained in a question and answer format of the most frequently asked questions and answers on managing HIV AIDS in the workplace. This booklet discusses issues related to HIV AIDS policy in the work environment, the role of employers in managing HIV AIDS issues at the workplace, what to keep in mind and steps and procedures in developing HIV AIDS policy for business enterprises, how to treat workers affected on issues such as leave, dismissals, absenteeism due to sickness, retrenchment and retirement on medical grounds. The programme also discusses the important issue of setting up and develop HIV / AIDS intervention programmes in the business which can focus on prevention and education and dissemination of information at the workplace to assist workers to improve their HIV AIDS awareness, for example through the use of peer educators. The booklet also looks at legislation related to the disease and what to avoid and take note of in responding to the crisis. Issues of insurance, financial assistance and benefits that may be applicable to the affected are also discussed. The booklet ends by looking at local, regional and international strategies to manage HIV AIDS, which provides possible sources of information & advice, and assistance in dealing with the crisis.

The RPO has already trained SIYB Master Trainers in the new materials and refresher trainings of trainers were also conducted. In many of the project countries, some entrepreneurs have already started benefiting from being trained in the new materials. More TOEs are planned by trainers before the end of the year.

The RPO has also developed a Trainers Guide to assist SIYB trainers as they deliver the new materials to entrepreneurs. The Guide assists trainers to organize and conduct HIV / AIDS seminars for entrepreneurs. It also introduces the possible training methodologies that can be used, included the case study method, role-plays, use of picture codes, small group discussion and brainstorming. On the case study method, the RPO developed seven case studies that clearly bring out different issues and challenges posed by the pandemic at the workplace.

RPO is grateful for the financial and technical support received from the ILO Headquarters job quality section to develop and introduce the HIV-Aids materials.