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Between 2021 and 2024, the ILO’s VCT@WORK initiative reached an estimated 2.5mn workers with HIV-related information. Half of them learned their HIV status, and of those who tested positive, 97% were successfully referred to access antiretroviral treatment.
With the world commemorating World AIDS Day on 1 December 2025, this year's theme — 'Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response' calls for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-centred approaches to end AIDS by 2030.
An ILO report, titled Reducing the HIV testing gap in men: Voluntary counselling and HIV testing for workers underscores the critical role workplaces play in closing HIV testing gaps among men and promoting inclusive health for all workers. According to the report, between 2021 and 2024, the ILO’s Voluntary Counselling and HIV Testing for Workers (VCT@WORK) initiative reached nearly 2.5mn workers with HIV-related information and facilitated 1.5mn voluntary HIV tests, of which 1.1mn of them were men.
This marks a significant step toward narrowing gender disparities in HIV diagnosis, as of those who tested positive, 48,616 workers were referred to access antiretroviral treatment.
Here is a breakdown of the key findings from the report:
About the VCT@WORK initiative
The VCT@WORK initiative is part of ILO’s efforts to help workers learn their HIV status and ensure that those who test positive can access appropriate treatment. Grounded in the principles of the ILO Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (No. 200), it operates as a global public–private partnership involving ILO's tripartite constituents (governments, employers, and workers).
Through this collaboration, the initiative works to expand access to testing, counselling, and treatment for workers, their families, and communities. VCT@WORK was officially launched in June 2013 during the International Labour Conference by the ILO, UNAIDS, the International Organization of Employers (IOE), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
VCT@WORK's seven strategic pillars
Rights-based approach
This recommendation emphasises that HIV testing must never be mandatory or used as a condition for employment. Testing must be genuinely voluntary, free from coercion, and conducted with full respect for confidentiality, counselling, and informed consent. An individual’s HIV status must remain confidential and must not affect their access to employment, job security, tenure, or opportunities for career advancement.
Implementation of VCT@WORK is prioritised in workplaces that have established HIV workplace policies. In some countries, an integrated workplace legal/policy framework has been developed to address gender-based violence and non-communicable diseases.
Strategic partnerships
Strategic partnerships were developed to implement VCT@WORK, involving governments (health ministries, labour ministries, national AIDS programmes), employers’ organisations, workers’ organisations, public and private sector enterprises, civil society enterprises including organisations of people living with HIV, and other partners. Each partner has an important role to play in sharing knowledge and bringing in resources and expertise into the Initiative.
Advocacy, training and communication
Advocacy with key stakeholders in the world of work for developing and implementing non-discriminatory HIV workplace policies and putting in place a VCT@WORK initiative, as well as creating demand through effective communication and strengthening capacities of workplace peer educators were critical components of the initiative. The ILO developed toolkits and online courses to support workplaces in promoting HIV awareness and reducing stigma.
Linkage to care and treatment
Partnerships with ministries of health were established to obtain HIV testing kits and treatment for those who tested positive for HIV. In addition to linking people with a positive HIV test to care and treatment, this pillar was also crucial for people who tested negative.
Undergoing an HIV test, especially for first-time testers, was an opportunity to provide HIV prevention, behaviour change communication messages and post-test counselling. Employer-led campaigns and peer educators also promoted access to treatment in all VCT@WORK events and their follow up.
HIV self-testing
HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a private alternative to clinic-based testing, guarantying greater confidentiality and minimises stigma and discrimination whilst reducing costs associated with visiting healthcare centres.
It appeals specifically to those left behind by existing HIV testing services, including young people, adult men, key populations and partners of people living with HIV.
Integrated health testing
This approach supports the early detection of diseases like HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, to enable timely treatment and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Furthermore, an integrated health testing approach is cost effective and reduces stigma associated with specific disease programmes such as the one linked with HIV and leads to increased uptake of medical services.
Monitoring and evaluation
VCT@WORK is implemented in close collaboration with national AIDS programmes and several other partners. Attempts were made to feed the results from workplace testing into national statistics. Between 2021 and 2024, the ILO was involved in VCT@WORK in 13 countries, involving a range of partners through support that varied from financial and technical support to technical advice on employers’ boards.
Key findings
- Rooting VCT@WORK in a rights-based framework made a big difference. Clear national, sectoral, and workplace HIV policies — covering non-discrimination, confidentiality, job protection, and links to treatment — created a safe environment for workers to come forward.
- Using ILO Recommendation No. 200 and related instruments, including Convention 190 on violence and harassment, helped shape the initiative’s rights-focused design and rollout.
- Roughly 70% of those tested were men, largely because testing was brought directly to worksites. This shows how the initiative can help narrow testing gaps among men, especially in sectors like construction, transport, and mining.
- Strong management support — built through advocacy, real-world examples, and the involvement of people living with HIV — encouraged workers to get tested and seek treatment when needed.
- Workplace HIV peer educators were able to raise awareness, challenge stigma, encourage testing, and support follow-up. Tools like the VCT@WORK kit and the online course made training easier.
- HIV self-testing was especially convenient for workers in the informal economy, reducing the time and costs associated with visiting health facilities.
- Multi-partner collaboration worked well, with ministries of labour and health, national AIDS programmes, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and civil society groups each contributing their strengths.
- With thoughtful planning, VCT@WORK can include people with limited access to health care, such as persons with disabilities and refugees.
- The initiative effectively reached clients of sex workers by focusing on industries located near sex work hotspots.
- VCT@WORK also became a doorway to social protection. Workers received information on available schemes and support in enrolling.
- Addressing gender-based violence is essential for improving access to HIV services. The initiative built GBV awareness, identified gender champions, and aligned with ILO efforts around Convention 190 to make workplaces safer.
Findings from the initiative indicated that with systematic planning, inclusive strategies, and sustained engagement, workplaces can serve as effective channels for promoting health and safeguarding rights. VCT@WORK has shown cost-effectiveness and sustainability by integrating activities into existing workplace structures and resources, and collaboration among government bodies, employers’ and workers’ organisations, civil society groups, and companies of people living with HIV remains imperative to its effectiveness.
Understanding HIV / AIDS
As the workplace continues to evolve as a platform for health awareness, it becomes equally important to revisit the fundamentals of HIV and AIDS —what they are, how they are transmitted, and the steps individuals and organisations can take to prevent infection.
According to a Facebook post by Singapore's Ministry of Health, HIV / AIDS weakens the immune system, which makes it harder for an individual to fight infections and diseases during illnesses, therefore increasing the severity of common conditions and diseases.
If left untreated, HIV could develop and evolve into AIDS, which is the final stage of the disease.
HIV symptoms
Most people with HIV do not show symptoms, however, some may experience the following:
- Prolonged fever
- Night sweats
- Tiredness
- Rashes
- Persistent Diarrhoea
- Lower resistance to infections
- Weight loss
How does HIV spread?
As MOH notes, those aged 21 and above, or those who are sexually active are recommended to undergo HIV testing at least once in their lifetime. Those engaging in at-risk behaviours are encouraged to test more frequently, or every three to six months.
Here are a couple of ways MOH recommends you may get tested:
- Rapid HIV tests at GP clinics or polyclinics (finger prick or oral swab) — results will be delivered within 20 mins.
- HIV self-test kits from selected retail pharmacies
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Infographics / ILO and MOH Singapore Facebook
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