HIV and AIDS Policy

Alpha Pacific Navigation Pte Ltd recognises the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on the workplace and when engaging its employees. Leadership is committed to supporting the Fiji national efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide testing and counselling services to those workers who have concerns for their health and well-being.

The company is aware of the Fiji Penal Code under Section 193 of the HIV/AIDS Act 2011 concerning any negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life. ‘Any person who unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life is guilty of a misdemeanour.’

Leadership is committed to informing its employees during the hiring process of the workers’ rights and responsibilities concerning HIV/AIDS. The company also has an open-door policy regarding reporting any discriminatory behaviour to any worker who has contracted HIV/AIDS.

Leadership also adopts the International Labour Organisation Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and is aware of its legal and moral obligations regarding HIV/AIDS. The code covers fundamental principles, such as recognising HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, non-discrimination in employment, gender equality, screening and confidentiality, social dialogue, prevention and care and support, as the basis for addressing the epidemic in the workplace.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure a consistent and equitable approach to the prevention of HIV/AIDS among workers and their families. The company offers additional support and, where possible, directs its workers to seek medical advice about the prevention and treatment of AIDS/HIV and its consequences.

Leadership also can assist via communication with its workers and interested parties on the consequences of HIV/AIDS, including the care and support of employees living with HIV/AIDS. The policy has been developed and implemented in consultation with workers and our service providers in the health care industry.

It complies with existing laws regarding HIV/AIDS and international human rights under the UN Covenant ‘The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)’, which covers human rights in the economic, social, and cultural spheres. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) contains important guarantees for protecting civil and political rights. Consultation and communication will be part of our ongoing commitment to our employees and those at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. We have communication resources and information which we will freely supply to our workers.

Leadership will not tolerate any discrimination against employees or job applicants on any grounds, including HIV status. While Alpha Pacific Navigation Pte Ltd recognises that there are circumstances unique to HIV infection, this policy rests on the principle that HIV infection and AIDS should be treated like any other serious condition or illness that may affect employees. It considers the fact that employees with HIV may live full and active lives for several years. 

Any information the company receives about a worker’s health condition, including contracting HIV/AIDS, will be strictly private, and that individual’s personal information will remain confidential. Any disclosure of an individual’s health status without the consent of the individual willing or unwittingly made will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter. This policy, and related information on HIV and AIDS, will be communicated to all workers and the wider public using the full range of communication in the health care services sector available to the company and its network of contacts.

This policy will be reviewed annually and revised as necessary in light of changing conditions and the findings of surveys/studies conducted.

This policy will be communicated to our employees and seafarers and our interested parties, and be publicly available.

Captain John Hensford
Managing Director

Note: Alpha Pacific Navigation Pte Ltd is an employment agency in terms of the Fijian ‘Employment Relations (Employment Agencies) Regulations 2008.’ We recruit seafarers for employment by overseas companies who have policies that differ from ours. They do not hire seafarers with HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).