A Qualitative Study on Stigma and Discrimination Experienced by IPHA or having TB at Work

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Geneva engaged the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) and the secretariat of the International Indigenous HIV & AIDS Working Group (IIWGHA) to undertake a qualitative study on stigma and discrimination experienced by indigenous peoples living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or having tuberculosis (TB) at work.

The development of this report began with a targeted literature review of seminal articles, grey literature, ILO and UNAIDS reports and citation mining for key references. CAAN then mobilized with indigenous contacts in four of the five ILO global regions to undertake one-on-one interviews and follow-up regional focus groups. In total, 21 interviews with indigenous peoples living with HIV and/or having TB, and five focus groups with leaders and representatives of indigenous peoples living with HIV and/or having TB were completed over three months. This engagement was aimed at exploring indigenous peoples’ perceptions and experiences of stigma and discrimination in the context of work. The interviews and focus groups were translated in English (as necessary), transcribed and thematically analysed by the writing team. This report offers a ‘snapshot’ of issues faced by indigenous peoples living with HIV and/or having TB, focusing centrally on the experiences of stigma and discrimination at work. Findings are limited by low numbers of individual contributors in each region.