International Bus Essay

1. Who are the various stakeholders that Anglo American needs to consider as it adopts an effective HIV/AIDS strategy? The people are said to be the driving forces of a country’s economy. In South Africa, AIDS has greatly impacted the nation’s economy. As evidence, it was stated that from 1992 to 2002, the economy of South Africa lost over $7 billion annually which is approximately 2% of the country’s GDP. This is because of the death of workers with AIDS. As AIDS continue to spread, it will continue to bring down the per capita growth of South Africa by 1 to 2% every year. Being a mining conglomerate, Anglo American operates in 45 nations and has over 107,000 employees. As Anglo American adopts an effective HIV/AIDS strategy, it should considering gathering as stakeholders all nations that are greatly reliant on the goods produced by the African workers. Anglo American must also consider health organizations, South African government, and big companies. It is im perative for the people in power to realize the impact of AIDS to the South African economy. 2. What are the pros and cons of Anglo American’s adoption of an aggressive strategy in combating HIV/AIDS among its South African workforce? What recommendations would you give the company concerning its HIV/AIDS policy? Since Anglo American was greatly hit during the outbreak of AIDS, the company developed comprehensive and dynamic approaches to combat the disease as it has become very ravaging to the workforce and its operations. The program was made up of prevention initiatives with focus on education and awareness. The program also included dissemination of condoms, financial as well as skill-related training to lessen poverty, and a survey system that would monitor the pervasiveness of the disease. Later on, the policies were expanded and included counseling, testing, as well as care and wellness programs. Some of the pros of the program include decrease payment for the patient as the number of people participating in the program increases. Despite the benefits of this aggressive strategy, there were many cons to this including the disapproval from many other interested parties. The program has also been unsuccessful because of refusal of some employees to undergo ART. Some even stopped during the treatment regimen. Other workers did not try submitting to the program because of fear of discrimination while others were in denial of having been contacted with AIDS. A robust approach is essential in this matter. If discrimination is an issue for workers, then as much as possible, the company should adopt a program that will respect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient’s condition. In addition, since some patients are anxious about the cost of the treatment, the company must consider encouraging more stakeholders to support the program and deliver the treatment for free. 3. Because such a large percentage of its workforce consists of migrant workers who are more likely to acquire and spread HIV/AIDS, should Anglo American adopt the policy of not hiring migrant workers? Should the South African government close the doors to migrant workers? Closing the doors to migrant workers would be another case of discrimination. Since the majority of the company’s employees are migrant workers, the company must consider proper screening before hiring. In hiring employees, companies must make sure that the people are in good condition and are ready for work. A physical check-up must be required. Migrant workers should not be stopped from working in Anglo-American provided that they meet the criterion of being HIV/AIDS-free. 4. What role do pharmaceutical companies play in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa? What policies or courses of action would you recommend to a company that produces HIV/AIDS drugs? Pharmaceutical companies are the ones responsible in manufacturing drugs needed for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. GSK for instance, deliver drugs to South Africa. However, Anglo American is hoping that pharmaceutical companies would reduce their prices to be able to provide more drugs for the people infected with HIV/AIDS. Though pharmaceutical companies wish to  reduce their prices, they are also somehow hesitant in fear of violating the intellectual property rights. Policies or courses of action to consider to a company that produces HIV/AIDS drugs would be to lift up the intellectual property rights of drugs in nations such as South Africa which is in dire need of treatment.