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SOUTH AFRICA: Phone company tackles workplace HIV/AIDS

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 7 June (PLUSNEWS) - South African telecommunications company, Telkom, has allocated nearly US $1.2 million to programmes designed to tackle HIV/AIDS in its 2004/05 financial year, Telkom CEO Sizwe Nxasana announced on Monday.

It is estimated that 9.6 percent of the company's workforce is living with HIV/AIDS.

According to a local newspaper, The Mail and Guardian, Telkom said its strategy was to enhance HIV/AIDS education campaigns and offer voluntary counselling, testing and treatment for affected staff across the country.

"People are Telkom's most important competitive asset and key to being an efficient and cost-effective group. The group has implemented a strategic human capital management plan, which seeks to protect and nurture its people," Nxasana said.

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