The Business Response to HIV/AIDS: Impact and lesson learned

assistance provision. Through peer education the
company seeks to create a better acceptance and
integration of employees living with HIV/AIDS.
* Involvement in external initiatives on HIV/AIDS: In
1995, Larsen and Toubro participated in the formation
of one of the earliest private sector led participatory
bodies in response to HIV/AIDS, the Industry Response to
AIDS, which consisted of management level
representatives from 13 large companies in Mumbai.
While this was not a long-standing arrangement it stood
as an example of future approaches in the business
response to HIV/AIDS. In addition, representatives from
Larson & Toubro are members of technical working
groups on local and international bodies devising
HIV/AIDS intervention strategies for the local
communities.
* Sharing workplace experiences of HIV/AIDS: Personnel
from Larsen & Toubro were instrumental in designing
and writing a HIV/AIDS policy guideline for Indian
industries, "Corporate Response to AIDS: Policy
Guidelines", in partnership with the Bombay Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. Moreover, through several
different local and national industrial associations
Larsen & Toubro provide access to their HIV/AIDS
workplace and community education and prevention
training modules and materials.
3. Results and lessons
Due to the long-term commitment and willingness to share
knowledge and materials on HIV/AIDS, Larsen & Toubro
have become well respected throughout the private,
governmental and NGO sectors within India, resulting in an
increasing interest in replicating the company's HIV/AIDS
programmes. While there has not been any specific
monitoring studies undertaken, company observations
reveal that the incidence of HIV cases amongst the
workforce has declined. In addition, employees and their
families are more prepared to discuss HIV/AIDS with the
company's Employee Welfare Department.

The extensive experience of Larsen & Toubro provides
useful lessons in how to undertake and maintain private
sector responses to HIV/AIDS. Principal ingredients of
success of the company's activities have been identified as
follows:
1. Internal commitment from senior management within
the company;
2. A multi-pronged intervention strategy implemented at
all levels within the company and the local community;
3. The education and prevention programmes built into
the training strategy of the company;
4. The development of multicultural and multilingual
educational materials appropriately directed at specific
target groups;
5. Involvement of labour unions in the planning and
implementation of the programmes;
6. Involvement of peer leaders from the target groups in
the dissemination of the education and prevention
information;
7. Positioning the company's programme implementation
department as a professional, non-threatening and
neutral body;
8. Care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and
their families.

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THE BUSINESS RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS: Impact and lessons learned