On 8 September 2016 the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Durban Chamber Foundation hosted a conference for SMEs about ‘’Workplace HIV/Aids’’. Although many large businesses have begun offering HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services to employees, the vast majority of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have not.

SMEs face constraints reducing their demand for services. While contributing significantly to the economy, SMEs foster diversification through their development of new and unsaturated sectors of the economy. In addition, innovative and technology-based small and medium enterprises can provide a platform for local, regional and international growth. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the bedrock of the economies of many countries. They have been identified as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa and around the world. According to the European Union, micro, small and medium enterprises employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro. Researchers estimate that, in South Africa, SMEs make up 91% of formalised businesses, provide employment to about 60% of the labour force and total economic output accounts for roughly 34% of GDP.

The main constraints for SMEs to deal with the impact of HIV/AIDS seem to be

• A lack of time by management which quite often proritises operational activities
• A lack of information on how to address the issue
• Financial constraints to outsource
• The challenge for NGOs, trade unions, bigger companies, and government in finding means and methods to reach out to SMEs
• To get the latest cost-effective methodologies for developing workplace programmes
• To disseminate those to SMEs

The colloquium highlighted programmes and projects in various countries aimed at assisting SMEs combat HIV and AIDS in the workplace including resource mobilisation towards zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero aids related deaths in our workplaces. 

If you require more information about the Durban Chamber Foundation, please contact Professor Nceba Gqaleni, Chair of the Durban Chamber Foundation, on nceba5850@gmail.com