NICO HOLDINGS HEIGHTENS AIDS FIGHT - 21th July 2009

Financial service giant NICO Holdings Limited has taken its HIV and Aids fight to another level by launchung a workplace policy aimed at curbing the spread and mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

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NICO Holdings company secretary Betty Kacelenga said policy was developed in recognition of the seriousness and devastating impact the pandemic has had on the company employees. Kacelenga said the policy seeks to provide direction for informed decision making in the effort to counter the pandemic on NICO Holdings and its subsidiaries.

"The fundamental principle guiding this policy is that HIV and Aids should treated in all relevant respects like other comparable life threatening conditions. "In respect of employment capacity, risk of workplace transmission and entitlement to employment benefits, there are no relevant differences between HIV and Aids and other life threatening conditions. Therefore, there should be no special burdens placed on employees with HIV and Aids," said Kaeelenga.

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The International Labour Organisation (ILO) hailed NICO Holdings for the policy, saying it will greatly enhance the fight against the virus as well as promote a positive behaviour in the workplace. ILO national project coordinator for HIV and Aids Patrick Makondesa described the policy as one of the best workplace policies in Malawi, saying it has taken into consideration all necessary steps stipulated in the ILO Code of Practice on developing HIV and Aids workplace policies.

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During the launch, NICO donated K200 000 to the Malawi Union for the Blind to help the organisation in the distribution of brail HIV and Aids materials.

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