The Zambian government has published an HIV and Aids Policy for the Transport Sector in Zambia which spells out the responsibilities of both employers and employees. Finalised in 2010, the policy document says “the Government of Zambia has highlighted mobility as one of the six key drivers of the HIV epidemic in Zambia, and in response set itself the national goal: to initiate, revitalise and scale up innovative HIV prevention programmes for mobile populations.” It adds: “Despite significant decreases in certain populations and geographic areas over the past two years, Zambia‘s HIV epidemic has stabilised at high levels.” Overall prevalence is 14.3%. Around 1.6% of the adult population – approximately 82 681 people in 2009 – are newly infected each year. “Key stakeholders in the transport sector” include Government, employers and employees and their representatives, health care service providers, community organisations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, religious groups and suppliers of goods and services to the transport sector. In terms of the policy, employers are required to formulate HIV and AIDS policies, train employees on the health risks, include HIV-related key performance indicators in the job descriptions of all relevant employees and middle level managers, and encourage voluntary counselling and testing. “Comprehensive insurance schemes” are also to be established for employees. Employees through their trade unions, in turn, are required to “actively participate and make an input into sector and workplace policy formulation, programme planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation,” facilitate liaison with employers and government to educate their members, support voluntary testing and counselling, and “advocate for and co-operate with employers to maintain a safe and healthy working environment.”
