Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - July 26, 2002
Drew Forrest
Unofficial estimates put levels of HIV infection in the mining industry at between 25% and 30%.
The agreement at Anglogold, announced in Carletonville this week, is with all five trade unions it recognises, including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
NUM president Senzani Zokwana said he hoped it would not only set a trend in mining, but "would be extended to government and other players countrywide".
Anglogold's labour relations head, Abe Bardin, said the intention from the start was to "go beyond grandstanding" and ensure the company's 35 000 workers understood what was agreed. Labour's participation was basic to the deal.
The unions and management would form a national commitee to implement it and ensure it remained relevant.
The agreement says anti-retrovirals have been used "with some measure of success" in delaying the progression to Aids and death, particularly in developing countries, and that infected workers would benefit from them.
However, the costs, safety, ethics and feasibility in the mining industry had to be assessed. A feasibility study would be set up at once, with the cooperation of HIV-positive workers who needed early access to anti-retrovirals and who were willing to take part.
Bardien said the plan was to seek the participation of other mining groups in the study. The issue had already been broached through the Chamber of Mines.
In the agreement, Anglogold pledges to co-fund employees if they buy indigenous or other immune boosters from an approved pharmacy group, and to help slow progression to Aids by providing nutritionally balanced meals.
The company undertakes to discipline any employee, no matter how senior, who harasses, stigmatises or discriminates against those with HIV.
With the unions, it agrees to take prevention and care programmes into communities.
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