Hayleys to combat spread of HIV/AIDS

The Hayleys Group displayed its commitment to help the nation combat the spread of HIV/AIDS by becoming the latest entity to join the "Passing the Pillow" program launched by the Lanka Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (LBCH).

Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys Group, Mohan Pandithage accepts the awareness cushion from current Chairman of Lanka Business Coalition HIV and AIDS, Dr. Kishu Gomes. Representatives from LBCH, Hayleys PLC and Dipped Products PLC are present.

In pledging renewed efforts to take forward the fight against the alarming spread of the disease, Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage accepted the 'red pillow', a symbol of continued commitment, from Dr. Kishu Gomes, Chairman of LBCH.

Hayleys joined the LBCH Steering Committee in 2010.

"Hayleys first introduced the topic to its sector heads and senior managers at a knowledge sharing forum, and since inception we have taken steps to drive awareness creation at all levels," said Pandithage. "As a Group comprising 30,000 employees, with operations in diverse localities and industries, it is time to 'pass the pillow' to all our sectors of enterprise", he said.

"I would like to acknowledge the foresight and commitment of Dipped Products which was instrumental in laying the foundation for a culture that fosters frank and enlightened discussion on the topic. From this foundation, Hayleys has commemorated World AIDS Day in all operating locations and has raised awareness within and outside the workplace," Pandithage said.

A spokesman for Hayleys said, "Roots of the Group's initiative go back to 2005, when the conglomerate's hand protection company Dipped Products PLC (DPL) implemented a project funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to increase awareness within its several manufacturing locations."

"Selected peer educators who represented a cross section of employee categories were trained on HIV/AIDS by master trainers provided by ILO and LBCH. These efforts culminated in DPL becoming one of the first manufacturing companies to develop and implement its own HIV/AIDS policy," he said.

"The rubber glove manufacturer also spread the message to its supply chain and communities through its ongoing Firstlight Foundation - a program that addresses wide-ranging issues impacting the lives of rubber smallholders," he said.

"The 'Passing the Pillow' campaign was launched in 2012 to highlight the importance of awareness. A bright red cushion inscribed with the message 'Pass on Awareness, not HIV' is passed among LBCH member corporates",

"The goal of LBCH is to leverage the business community to make a committed response to mitigate the threat of HIV and AIDS in the workplace and community. It provides a platform from which policies and awareness programs can be coordinated and executed efficiently by pooling resources and knowledge that exist within the business community," he said.