Mozambique’s business sector is currently feeling the consequences of HIV/Aids through the increased absence of workers — which has started to affect production, the president of the Confederation of Business Associations [CTA], Salimo Abdula, said on Friday.
”HIV/Aids is not a case for the future, it is starting to affect companies now through performance of workers and this is mostly evident in increased cases of absence from work,” he said.
His organisation, the CTA, has set up an independent body called Ecosida to address issues of HIV/Aids in the workplace.
Ecosida will encourage workers to be tested and to know their status.
”We believe that if workers know their status and they are HIV positive, they can receive treatment and they can continue with their jobs,” said Abdula.
Mozambique is number eight in the world when it comes to estimated HIV prevalence rates among the 15- to 49-year age group.
According to official statistics, the country’s HIV prevalence rate is pegged at 16% — a figure that is double the sub-Saharan average of 7,2%.
It is also estimated that 500 new infections are recorded each day and this has led the World Bank to predict a drop in life expectancy to 37 years in 2010.
The World Bank, in a 2008 report, estimated that the HIV/Aids pandemic risks lowering economic growth rates in Mozambique by as much as 1% annually.
Mozambique’s economy has been growing at a steady 7% in the past few years and the government predicts 8% growth this year.
Abdula said while the government is participating in many HIV/Aids programmes, it still needs to involve the private sector by giving incentives to companies who are tackling the pandemic.
”The result [of fighting the pandemic] has not been achieved and the private sector feels that medium- and small-scale companies need to be self-sufficient in their fight.
”This could be achieved if the government gives incentives to companies involved in the fight against HIV/Aids,” said Abdula. — Sapa