ILO and TACAIDS reinforce commitment to workplace HIV response in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (ILO News) — The strategic courtesy call, held at the ILO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, was led by ILO Country Director Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla and Acting Executive Director of TACAIDS, Ms. Catherine Joachim. The meeting brought together senior officials from TACAIDS, the Prime Minister’s Office, and ILO programme staff to discuss a shared agenda under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation.”

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Ms. Mugalla opened by presenting the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) as the framework guiding its HIV response in the world of work. She emphasised that the programme is anchored in four pillars: social dialogue, employment creation, social protection, and international labour standards, all closely aligned with Tanzania’s national development strategies and the UN Cooperation Framework. She stressed that non-discrimination related to HIV and AIDS cuts across all ILO activities.

The ILO's work in this area is guided by several key international standards, including Recommendation 200 on HIV and AIDS, the Code of Good Practice on HIV in the workplace, the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190), the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100), the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111), and the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention (No. 102), among others. These instruments form the backbone of the ILO’s policy approach to protecting workers’ rights, enhancing access to services, and promoting inclusive workplaces.

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Reflecting on the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions, Ms. Mugalla highlighted key achievements to date. These included adolescent economic empowerment interventions targeting young women in Dodoma, the development and rollout of HIV and NCD management guidelines in both public and private sector institutions, and sector-specific initiatives in construction, transport, and along high-risk corridors. She also commended TACAIDS for its leadership in engaging the private sector through joint initiatives such as VCT@Work, the Employers’ Health Bonanza, male HIV testing campaigns, and the Tripartite+ AIDS Forum.

Despite progress, key challenges persist. Limited funding, weak private sector engagement, and workplace stigma continue to hinder HIV program efforts. Ms. Mugalla emphasized that “AIDS remains unfinished business” and called for renewed, rights-based workplace interventions.

At the meeting, the ILO presented its upcoming priorities: providing technical assistance to build national capacity for evidence generation, policy development, and domestic resource mobilization; enhancing workplace social protection, including maternal health and HIV prevention. Special attention will be given to expanding HIV self-testing initiatives and wellness programmes in high-risk sectors such as mining.

The ILO and TACAIDS agreed to explore innovative financing strategies, leveraging initiatives such as the Employer of the Year Award, the OSH Award, and CSR projects like the Kili Challenge supported by Geita Gold Mines. They also stressed the importance of reaching emerging high-risk sectors such as entertainment, motorcycle transport, fishing, and construction.

Ms. Catherine Joachim thanked the ILO for its support and leadership in promoting inclusive workplace policies. She reaffirmed Tanzania’s goal of zero discrimination by 2030 but noted gaps remain, especially among informal and vulnerable workers. Ms. Joachim proposed a joint planning session with key stakeholders (TUCTA, ATE, OSHA, VIBINDO, PMO-LYED) to create a more coordinated approach and urged better programme monitoring and stronger private sector involvement.

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Key follow-up actions will include updating and disseminating HIV workplace guidelines for the informal sector, advancing community-led responses, advocating for legal reform, and increasing sustainable financing mechanisms to meet national HIV targets.

Ms. Mugalla closed the meeting by reaffirming the ILO’s long-term commitment to supporting inclusive, rights-based workplace health responses. 

We are committed to walking this journey together to ensure no worker is left behind in the fight against HIV and discrimination.

Caroline Khamati Mugalla, ILO Country Director