Addis Ababa, May.18(ENA)--National code of practice of world of work on HIV/AIDS had been finalized, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said.

Opening a four-day conference to discuss the code here on Tuesday, Vice Labor and Social Affairs Minister, Bisrat Gashawtena said work places should not be only a center of development activities but also a place for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Bisrat said the objective of the conference was to discuss on the code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work of women at a national level.

The conference would also discuss on the integrated implementation of the guidelines for women working in factories and community-based organizations in a bid to minimize the impact of the pandemic, she said.

HIV/AIDS affects the world of work in a variety of ways, Bisrat said, adding that it affects and kills the most productive forces and reduce incomes, imposes huge costs on enterprises by reducing productivity, increasing labor costs, loss of skills and experience.

Gender inequality-linked to patterns of social, economic and cultural inequality makes women more vulnerable to infection so that a gender sensitive approach is imperative, she said.

The code of practice contains fundamental principles for policy development and practical guidelines from which concrete responses can be developed at the enterprise, sectoral and national levels.

It focuses on the areas of management and mitigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work, care and support of women workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and elimination of stigma and discrimination on the basis of real or perceived HIV status, according to a publication distributed at the conference.

Some 100 representatives of pertinent organizations from various regional states including Dire Dawa Administrative Council are in attendance at the conference.

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