Press Release From Cosatu Received on 9 May, 2001


COSATU welcomes South African Chamber of 
Business and Anglo American offer

COSATU welcomes the move by the South African 
Chamber of Business and Anglo American to provide 
cheap anti-Aids drugs to suffering employees. We 
view this as a huge step by the Business sector in the 
fight against this pandemic  something that the 
federation has been calling for. This is also part of the 
implementation of what Cosatu fought for at the 
Pretoria High Court against the international drug 
giants.

HIV/Aids is having a devastating economic impact in 
this country; hence there is need for all sectors to 
stand up and intensify the battle against it.  We 
therefore note with appreciation the effort by other 
business sectors in this battle.  

We further agree with the National Union of 
Mineworkers that companies should not only focus on 
drug issue  but the general approach to the problem, 
such as changing the behaviour towards HIV/Aids 
sufferers in the workplace. 

Business should know that sustenance of good 
emotional well being of employees living with HIV/Aids 
is as crucial to good production as provision of 
medical treatment.  Our view is that the two cannot 
function without each other.  It is therefore important 
that companies should supplement their medical 
provision with counselling units.

COSATU calls all other South African companies, 
especially big ones, to follow the example, for the 
benefit of the countrys economy.  We would like to 
reiterate our general secretarys statement that a right 
won but never implemented, is as bad as a right never 
won at all.

Siphiwe Mgcina
COSATU Spokesperson

siphiwe@cosatu.org.za
082-821-7456
339-4911