CPV: The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) recently established an AIDS Committee. The Committee will develop an HIV/AIDS policy for VCCI, train peer educators and organizes information and education on HIV/AIDS for all staff at the workplace.

It not only helps the VCCI to fight HIV/AIDS internally but also helps supporting 6000 member enterprises and associations to solve issues concerning HIV/AIDS at the workplace.

The VCCI AIDS Committee is part of the implementation of the sub-component "HIV/AIDS at the workplace" under the Danida funded Business Sector Program Support to Vietnam (BSPS).

Speaking at the event, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Peter Lysholt Hansen said that the establishment of the committee is an important activity in itself but it also demonstrates that VCCI makes good use of Danida’s support under the BSPS. This program is all about fostering growth in Vietnam through further development of competitiveness of the business sector and to enhance productivity through improved labour conditions. The VCCI has also mobilized 23 small and medium sized enterprises and 15 business associations to work with HIV/AIDS at the workplace.

It aims to increase awareness in companies and business associations of benefits of effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment of infected workers, develop and implement HIV/AIDS policies in selected enterprises, and mainstream HIV/AIDS in all components of the Business Sector and other Danida programmes.