## DaimlerChrysler's Global Fight against HIV/AIDS -

### **Comment on DaimlerChrysler's approach to combat HIV/AIDS**

"Townhall Meeting of the International Subcommittee of the Presidential
Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, Department of Health and Human Services"

Washington, D.C.

December 18, 2003

# HIV/AIDS crisis needs the mobilization of entire society

HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue. In the long run, if left unchecked,
countries of otherwise vast potential will be destabilised by the impact
of HIV/AIDS in all aspects of social, political and economic life. These
unprecedented implications also make HIV/AIDS a serious security issue.
Because of the complexity and interdependency of all these aspects,
there is no simple solution. "No single institution can win the fight
against the HIV/AIDS pandemic by itself. All sectors, including
governments, business and civil society need to work together." This was
the message of DaimlerChrysler's CEO Prof. Juergen E. Schrempp in his
capacity as Chairman of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC)
on the occasion of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2003.

# Leadership is crucial

The fight against AIDS is one of the great challenges of our time, and
DaimlerChrysler has taken a leading role within the business community
in fighting this pandemic. In South Africa DaimlerChrysler implemented a
benchmark HIV/AIDS workplace program. Through the leadership of Mr.
Schrempp and his strong personal commitment, the GBC was able to become
a principal force in rallying the global business community behind this
cause. His leadership underlines the UN's Global Compact and is based on
the firm belief that our action and engagement is vital in what has
become, in many places, a desperate fight for survival. It is for this
reason that DaimlerChrysler is eager to share its knowledge, research
and strategies with the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in
support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

# First beginnings in South Africa

DaimlerChrysler South Africa was one of the first companies in South
Africa to address HIV/AIDS by developing and implementing a
non-discriminatory HIV/AIDS policy in 1991. The rapid spread of the
epidemic and the threat to the business led to a review of
DaimlerChrysler's strategy in 1996, when it became the first company to
provide anti-retroviral drugs free of charge to its employees through a
medical benefits plan.

In December 2000, DaimlerChrysler started to develop and successfully
implement a comprehensive workplace program to combat HIV/AIDS at its
South African operations. The program was a public-private partnership
with a German aid agency (GTZ). Early objectives were two-fold: first,
to develop a multifaceted, progressive and dynamic HIV/AIDS strategy for
DaimlerChrysler South Africa which systematically addresses HIV/AIDS as
a key obstacle to sustainable development and, second, to devise an
appropriate needs-based, world-class HIV/AIDS workplace program aimed at
preventing new infections among employees, their family members and
their communities. The workplace program includes anti-retroviral
treatment for employees and their dependents.

# Public Private Partnership

DaimlerChrysler's public-private partnership approach involves:

1.  The adoption of an HIV/AIDS policy and working protocols based on
    international codes of conduct.

2.  A collaborative management and policy-driven strategy that ensures
    ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the program's impact
    within a framework of excellent corporate governance.

3.  Information, education and communication linked to medical services
    centered around the peer educator approach.

4.  Comprehensive treatment, care and support services and the creation
    of a non-discriminatory environment in which voluntary counseling
    and testing for HIV is promoted. Ongoing access to appropriate
    anti-retroviral treatment and the monitoring of antiviral treatment
    of secondary (opportunistic) infections, such as tuberculosis,
    remains a cornerstone. Support to employees is granted for two years
    beyond their employment period, if they had to leave for health
    reasons.

5.  The implementation of an extensive community involvement component
    is executed in partnership with employees' dependents, with
    government and non-governmental organizations, traditional healers
    as peer educators as well as with medical doctors and other
    healthcare professionals who are trained in standardized treatment
    and monitoring methods. Community outreach includes measures such as
    health education campaigns, the improvement of quality of care in
    health centers, legislative compliance, risk assessments and
    research and evaluation.

# Lessons learned

What lessons can DaimlerChrysler provide regarding planning,
implementation and outcome measurement strategies of its workplace
program in South Africa? The public-private partnership with GTZ secured
important core competencies in the development and start-up phase. The
implementation of the program is largely based on "peer education" --
specially trained employees who contribute significantly to employee
acceptance of the program and assist their peers in overcoming the
taboos and stigmatization related to HIV/AIDS. The cooperation with the
South African metalworkers workers union (NUMSA) also proved to be a
critical success factor. An independent panel of experts, including
representatives of the South African Medical Research Council, conducted
the final evaluation of project outcomes.

# Independent monitoring and evaluation

The panel of experts concluded that in the three-year start-up phase the
workplace project objectives had been met and were visible in: (1) a
sound workplace program management system, (2) services for voluntary
HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, with good uptake, (3) improved
HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection and tuberculosis services, (4)
human resources and employee benefit policies designed to meet the
impact of an increasing HIV/AIDS prevalence among employees, (5) a solid
Information, Education and Communication framework, and (6) a platform
for meaningful community involvement.

Therefore, a solid foundation was laid at DaimlerChrysler facilities in
South Africa for a sustainable workplace program with emphasis on
prevention, treatment, care and support. DaimlerChrysler's workplace
program in South Africa has already led to a significant decline in
HIV/AIDS-related sick leave, long-term disability and death. The
continuation of the workplace program is intended to reinforce this
success. Future efforts will center around expanding the program to
suppliers and supporting employees' families, as well as fostering a
meaningful community outreach. In doing so, DaimlerChrysler will
continue to fulfill its role as a forerunner in the fight against
HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

# Plans and next steps

In 2004, DaimlerChrysler South Africa will continue the program, which
is currently integrated as a standard component of employee benefits.
Future enhancements to the program will focus on community outreach and
wider implementation at DaimlerChrysler facilities worldwide. The
community strategy will seek cooperation within communities where the
company operates or its employees live -- particularly with hospitals,
schools and social institutions. Globally, the knowledge gained in South
Africa will be shared with all DaimlerChrysler companies operating in
countries affected by HIV/AIDS. Parts of the successful workplace
program will be adopted at other locations in Africa, Asia, Latin
America and Russia and tailored to the local requirements. In other
less-affected countries, Germany for example, information on HIV/AIDS
will be included in vocational training programs for younger employees.

# What are the vital aspects of effective partnerships? 

As a member of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS,
DaimlerChrysler has committed itself to sharing its knowledge and
expertise. The GBC serves as a platform for the exchange of \"best
practices\" between and beyond companies. DaimlerChrysler has plans to
increasingly involve small and medium-sized enterprises. Nevertheless,
business cannot succeed on its own. Global advocacy is needed at all
levels, from grassroots initiatives to government levels. We at
DaimlerChrysler hope that other nations will follow the example of the
U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. We envision a thriving
public-private partnership: the energy and expertise of business
culminating in efficient workplace programs and in dedicated community
outreach on the one end; public funding focused on improving education,
public health infrastructure and poverty programs on the other.

# Additional Information:

<http://www.hivaids.daimlerchrysler.co.za/index.asp>

For further information please contact:

Dr. Norbert Otten, Director Policy Issues, External Affairs and Public
Policy, DaimlerChrysler AG, HPC 1132, 70546 Stuttgart, Phone
+49-711-17-9 3310, Fax +49-711-17-9-4080, Email:
norbert.otten@daimlerchrysler.com.

Karl-Heinz Schlaiss, Senior Manager Corporate Relations, DaimlerChrysler
Corporation, 1401 H Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington DC, 20005, Phone
+1 202 414 6744,\
Fax +1 202 414 6738, Email: ks375@daimlerchrysler.com.