HIV/AIDS

Addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic is both a moral and a business imperative. In countries where the disease is prevalent or spreading, and where people lack access to the necessary health care, HIV/AIDS poses threats to our workforce and the communities in which we operate.

In 1999, we began to develop a strategy for a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS in our operations in South Africa, a country where more than 5 million people are infected with the virus. Building on that experience, we adopted a global HIV/AIDS policy in 2003. Its key principles are nondiscrimination in hiring and employment; a safe and healthy work environment; confidentiality and privacy; prevention; and care and support. Nearly a decade later, the South African program continues to be strong, with peer education groups, HIV/AIDS booklets for employees and their families, and employee volunteer initiatives to help people living with the disease.

To provide further guidance in implementing the policy, we have also developed HIV/AIDS Program Guidelines. An important element of our approach is that each country operation implementing the program assesses its local needs, often with the help of local nongovernmental organizations or other experts, and tailors a culturally appropriate program based on the policy and guidance. Ford's Executive Physician, International Clinical Operations, reviews each country's program plans.

In early 2004, Ford launched an HIV/AIDS Workplace and Community Initiative, expanding our programs to additional countries, including China, India, Thailand and Russia. We selected these countries based on the prevalence of infection, its rate of spread, our business presence and our market opportunity.

Ford's China, India and Thailand locations began implementing the Initiative, and by 2006 had completed the employee training process and were offering voluntary counseling and testing onsite. Educational materials and condoms are distributed to the workforce in these locations.

In Russia, Ford has started its HIV/AIDS Initiative and is making progress on delivering training materials by plant medical personnel. Voluntary testing is provided by governmental clinics upon application.

During 2008, Ford of Brazil delivered HIV/AIDS awareness training to 50 percent of its workforce in all manufacturing locations. Ford of Brazil planned to train a full 100 percent of its workforce by the end of 2009, and continues to provide educational material through its wellness program "Viva Bem." Aligned with a broad governmental campaign, Viva Bem has also included free condom distribution to employees and voluntary counseling and testing during the year or during the promotional campaign every 12 months.

Ford of Mexico is participating in an innovative national partnership model – known by its Spanish acronym CONAES – that involves the governments of the United States (USAID) and Mexico (CENSIDA), a group of multinational companies and NGOs. Ford of Mexico is a Charter member of CONAES and currently a member of the board of directors. In 2006, Ford of Mexico received an "HIV/AIDS Workplace Certification" supported by CENSIDA. In addition, Ford leads one of CONAES's three committees (on Programs and Communication). This committee seeks to share best practices among companies, develop surveys, and get and distribute information about HIV/AIDS.

Ford of Argentina began HIV/AIDS awareness training for peer educators in late 2008, and planned to train all of its workforce during 2009 and provide voluntary counseling and testing. And Ford of Venezuela, which recently issued an HIV/AIDS policy statement, planned to perform voluntary counseling, testing and free condom distribution to employees.

Ford was the first automaker to issue a detailed report on the effects of HIV/AIDS on the Company using the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative. We continue to review our approach and ensure we are addressing the most important public health priorities in each of the different communities in which we operate.