ILO and Kyiv trade unions join forces to forge more inclusive work environments for HIV-positive workers in Ukraine
A joint initiative by the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions and the ILO has helped to deepen awareness and support to workers living with or affected by HIV.
8 April 2025
KYIV, UKRAINE (ILO News) - A joint initiative by the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions and the International Labour Organization (ILO) has led to significant progress across enterprises in Kyiv region by raising awareness among employers and workers, promoting voluntary and confidential counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV, and fostering inclusive and tolerant work environment.
Workers living with HIV may face workplace, including on-the-job discrimination, denial of employment, career stagnation, unjust dismissal, and isolation from the team or clients, and in some cases, abuse, threats, and humiliation.
“Such discrimination not only degrade workers’ human dignity and harm their mental and physical health, but also may discourage them from accessing prevention, treatment, care, and support services, as well as may put their lives at risk,” explained Aida Lindmeier, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ukraine.
According to the ILO Global HIV Discrimination in the World of Work Survey (2021), one in three respondents in Ukraine stated that workers with HIV should not work in jobs involving direct contact with people. Nearly 60 per cent argued that pre-employment HIV testing should be mandatory, while one third believed that the virus could be transmitted through shared facilities.
In order to reduce these stereotypes, the ILO and the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions launched the Together Against Discrimination project in 2023. The Council unites over 80,000 workers across ten sectors.
To address the root causes of stigma and discrimination, such as a lack of awareness and persistent stereotypes, the project organized information sessions and advocacy meetings, built an informational website, Stop-hiv.kyiv.ua, with up-to-date information, and trainings for more than 5000 employers, workers, and trade union representatives.
“We value the support of the ILO in this effort. Wide experience as well as resources available in the ILO helped us establish effective cooperation with partners and professional approaches at all stages of the VCT programme's implementation,” explained Vasyl Khvostikov, head of the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions.
One of the project’s most impactful components was the introduction of voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing (VCT) at workplace, in order to foster a culture of personal responsibility among workers, help them know their status, and receive treatment and support in a timely manner.
Over the course of the last two years, VCT for HIV was organised in 15 enterprises across the Kyiv region for HIV, and in some cases for other diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis. Nearly 1,400 workers, both women and men, took part, and those who tested positive received individual counselling, psychological support, and referrals for further diagnostics and free treatment at specialised medical facilities.
Additionally, 600 oral tests were distributed, enabling workers to test themselves and take care of their loved ones.
A healthy worker creates a better company; a motivated worker increases productivity.
Aida Lindmeier, Director, ILO Country Office for Ukraine
“It is important for companies to create conditions, as a part of occupational safety and health, so that the workers feel they are not stigmatised and that the employers care about their well-being. A healthy worker creates a better company; a motivated worker increases productivity – which is good for the company and for the environment where the workers live,” explained Aida Lindmeier.
In 2024, thanks to the effective collaboration between the ILO, trade unions and the Kyiv Regional Specialised Medical Centre, about 500 women and men workers from pilot companies, in addition to VCT for HIV, checked their lungs in a mobile fluorograph, which is especially important given the spread of tuberculosis in Ukraine.
A major milestone was the inclusion of provisions on combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the 2024–2025 collective agreement of a large company employing over 30,000 workers.
Building on the success of the partnership, the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade has shared its knowledge and experience with trade union representatives from Chernivtsi and Khmelnytskyi regions of Ukraine, and an agreement has been reached with the Kyiv City Council of Trade Unions to continue the project in 2025.
While the challenge of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV remains, the project proves that joint efforts by trade unions, employers, and the ILO can result in safer and more inclusive working conditions for all workers, regardless of their HIV status. The global goal of eliminating discrimination and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is becoming achievable through systematic efforts and the support of social partners.
The project would not be possible without fruitful cooperation with Kyiv Regional Specialised Medical Centre and its director, Ms. Tetyana Zemlyak.
The project on voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing at workplace in Kyiv region was funded by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS/UBRAF).