The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) has ramped up the promotion of its ‘Beyond Labels: Manufacturing a Stigma-Free Workplace’ Initiative through a series of HIV/AIDS Awareness Sensitisation Workshops.

Undertaken in collaboration with PEPFAR, CDC, UNAIDS, and JN+, the seminars aim to cultivate workplace cultures that value and respect diversity, ensuring equity and inclusivity at all levels.

The JMEA shared that the workshop series commenced with an online capacity-building session for HR and senior management personnel from member companies, attracting over 70 participants.

At the time the webinar provided an in-depth exploration of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the workplace, equipping HR managers and senior management personnel with strategies to foster an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of their HIV status. It also covered human rights considerations of HIV to ensure HR managers understand pertinent laws and regulations, helping them align their policies with legal requirements and uphold the rights of all employees.

“We chose to start with HR and senior management for two key reasons. First, culture begins at the top and permeates throughout the organisation. These individuals are crucial in cultivating and nurturing a positive organizational culture. They have the power to instigate significant change by embracing inclusivity, championing diversity, and fostering an environment of respect. Second, we want them to understand that stigma significantly undermines individual well-being, organizational productivity, and societal cohesion,” Kamesha Blake, executive director of the JMEA, stated

“Addressing stigma head-on can lead to healthier, more supportive work environments, enhance employee morale, and ultimately contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive society,” she explained further.

Following the capacity-building webinar for HR and senior management personnel, the JMEA team commenced one-day employee HIV/AIDS Awareness Workshops. So far, the team has conducted workshops at two member companies: Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Ltd (CPJ) and Fargo Electronics Jamaica Limited.

The business lobby organisation has reached over 100 employees as a result.

Led by the Jamaican Network of Seropositives (JN+), the workshops covered crucial topics such as HIV awareness, transmission understanding, and prevention methods. Additionally, employees were provided with condoms and HIV self-test kits to encourage proactive health management.

Dr Richard Amenyah, UNAIDS multi-country director, shared that ending discrimination in the workplace and other settings is a key priority for the United Nations.

“UNAIDS helping to create a work environment that is supportive, respectful and inclusive of every employee’s rights because it is not just about the bottom line, it is also about morale and the people living with and most affected by HIV. The cost of inaction is huge so the private sector must help create an environment that is stigma free and enable all employees to feel included, regardless of their health status,” he outlined.

Johnoi Elliston, Senior Programme Officer and Project Lead at the JMEA, emphasized the interactive and engaging nature of the workshops. He shared, “The workshops not only provided vital information but incorporated real-life stories to humanize the issue and reduce stereotypes as well. This approach helped employees connect more deeply with the subject matter, facilitating open discussions where they could share their thoughts and concerns, thus promoting a culture of openness and understanding.” Elliston also shared that the next set of workshops is scheduled with Seprod Group of Companies and Jamaican Teas Limited, continuing the JMEA’s efforts to address HIV-related stigma in the workplace.

The JMEA’s ‘Beyond Labels: Manufacturing a Stigma-Free Workplace’ project represents a significant step in fostering a culture of inclusivity and promoting the health and well-being of all employees. Following these workshops, the JMEA team is looking to host an ‘Adult Talk and Jam’ session. This event, open to both JMEA member companies and other organizations, will provide a platform for employees to discuss stigma and discrimination in an informal setting.