Labour supply threatened by HIV/AIDS, meeting told

Abstract

By 2010, Sub-Saharan Africa's total labour force is expected to have shrunk by 9 per cent due to HIV/AIDS, a meeting in Ghana heard last week. Labour losses may top 20 per cent in the worst affected countries. By 2015 the losses could reach up to 12 per cent overall, reducing the labour supply by as much 30-40 per cent in the highest prevalence countries. Over one hundred representatives from the public and private sectors concluded a two-day policy dialogue workshop Friday in Accra on the impact of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. A representative speaking on behalf of Ghana's Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu, underscored the alarming statistics and also stressed the need for effective responses. He said: "AIDS poses the gravest threat to Africa's development. If the epidemic rages unchecked, the continent faces a spiral of decline. Nevertheless, this disaster can be prevented. The issue of access to treatment and care was one of the key points of the discussions between representatives of the private and public sectors. A participant from Coca-Cola Corporation said: "As one of the largest employers in Africa, we feel we have to do our part to combat HIV/AIDS.