SOUTH AFRICA: May Day HIV/AIDS focus

JOHANNESBURG, 2 May 2006 (PlusNews) - South African trade unions used May Day celebrations on Monday to call for greater action against HIV/AIDS.

Addressing workers and union members in the Western Cape Province town of Swellendam, the South African Trade Union (COSATU) likened the pandemic to a "national disaster".

The South African Press Association quoted COSATU provincial representative Andre Kriel as saying, "AIDS is undermining millions of people's hopes and livelihoods, and robbing them of the means to lift themselves out of poverty."

In the presence of President Thabo Mbeki, COSATU also called for "presidential leadership" on the issue, but he did not respond.