HIV/AIDS

Mondi recognises the human tragedy caused by HIV/ AIDS, particularly in southern Africa where the disease has reached epidemic proportions and where Mondi has significant operations.

We have integrated a viable HIV/AIDS policy into our safety and occupational health policy, which is in place across the business. This covers a range of factors, including an anti-discrimination policy, management of the illness and any resulting disability, education and awareness, the provision of anti-retroviral treatment and helping manage the impact of the disease on Mondi's business and wider society.

Our programmes

We have put in place a number of programmes, including the SWAT (Status, Wellness, Awareness, Treatment) programme in our Richards Bay and Merebank mills and forest operations.

Firstly, this urges people to know their status and highlights the free testing that is available through health checks provided by the company.

Secondly, it promotes the Mondi Wellness programme, our first step in the active treatment of AIDS as part of an integrated system. This includes counselling on diet, safe sex and other issues, the provision of immune boosters and psychological support including seven face-to-face meetings with a mental health professional and 24/7 access to help via a toll-free number.

Peer education

Our major sites also provide Peer Education networks, in which trained employees help their colleagues with advice and support. This ensures that any mistrust of management and even of occupational health staff does not prevent people from finding their status and, where necessary, entering the Wellness programme.

At Springs, as well as equivalent initiatives elsewhere, we run the ‘Aid 4 AIDS’ programme in which Mondi pays for clinical treatment for afflicted staff members, including the provision of anti-retroviral drugs. This has had some excellent results where people have returned to work following treatment.

Supporting communities

A major challenge for Mondi remains in helping the families and communities of our workers. Our support is also already available to our contractors in many our operations. We are also increasingly working with government and NGOs to set up specialist health centres and gateway clinics that provide access to specialist treatment.

Last change: 27/03/2008