Atlas Copco is again recognized for the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS program

The SWHAP Achievement Award was introduced in 2008 to encourage and reward successful and innovative workplace initiatives. The aim is to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and alleviate the effects of the HIV pandemic at the workplace level.
 
“To get this recognition for the second time shows the strength of our South African program,” says Annika Berglund, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications at Atlas Copco. “We are very proud of the efforts made by our colleagues in South Africa to help people live a better life with AIDS and also their work to help raising awareness of HIV among employees, their families and the community.”
 
The SWHAP Board motivation for the award is: “Not only has Atlas Copco sustained its commitment that made them win the 2009 Achievement Award. In 2010, Atlas Copco has also shown that they are able to expand the involvement even further by enhanced community outreach and spreading of the experiences of their programme to other companies. In short, Atlas Copco South Africa is a highly qualified winner of the SWHAP Achievement Award 2010 for the most comprehensive programme.”
 
“The Group also recognizes Atlas Copco Zambia that for the second consecutive year was among the nominees for the award. They were nominated for their engagement in the Zambian community, reaching beyond the workplace,” says Annika Berglund.
 
The SWHAP is a joint initiative by the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR) and the Swedish Industrial and Metal workers’ Union (IF Metall), aiming to contribute to the establishment and/or support of HIV and AIDS programmes at Swedish related workplaces in Sub-Saharan Africa. The SWHAP presently operates in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida.