Ten businesses has been honoured for preventing the spread of HIV and generating jobs for HIV positive people and high-risk individuals.

They were selected from more than 130 businesses involved in the USAID-funded project on workplace-based prevention and employment and supportive services for high-risk individuals in Vietnam (USAID HIV Workplace).

These businesses have applied a non-discrimination policy for people living with HIV/AIDS, employed HIV carriers and contributed finance to assist HIV sufferers in the community.

Around 90 percent of workers at these businesses have got access to information on HIV prevention and control and 125 HIV carriers and former drug users have worked without discrimination.

The businesses have contributed more than 156.6 million VND to grant scholarships and increase income for 27 people living with HIV.

The 3 million USD project, sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), started in Sept. 2008 and will last for five years.

The project is intended to prevent HIV infection among high-risk individuals and to provide employment opportunities and economic rehabilitation services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other high risk individuals, to help reduce discrimination and stigma.

The project has provided technical assistance to more than 130 businesses who are members of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in implementing the workplace-based HIV prevention policy for 128,000 workers and providing jobs for 456 HIV carriers and high-risk individuals.

Also at the ceremony held in Hanoi on Sept. 23, it was announced that 17 new HIV carriers and high-risk individuals will receive assistance from businesses./.