Overview

Click here to view the full case study, DCSA's workplace policy, communications strategy, 2001 KAPB assement and other supporting documents.

DaimlerChrysler has the third largest automotive revenues worldwide. DaimlerChrysler is one of the world’s largest automotive, transportation and services companies. It has manufacturing operations in 37 countries and distribution operations in more than 200 countries. In 2001, it employed 372,000 people, its revenues were US$ 136 billion and its net income was US$ 590 million.

DaimlerChrysler in South Africa

DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) has three main plants that manufacture, market, import and export motor vehicles and automotive parts. East London is their largest facility with 79% of the workforce. They also provide financial and fleet management services. In 2001, DCSA had 4,500 employees and 3,000 suppliers and contractors working at these three facilities. Although not part of the workplace and community projects, DCSA indirectly impacts 2,900 other workers who are members of other DaimlerChrysler affiliates or employed as part of the dealer network. DCSA.s estimated 2001 revenues were US$ 1.4 billion and its 2001 net income was US$ 79 million.

The Business Case

DCSA established its workplace and community HIV/AIDS project in 2001 to address the increasing financial burden associated with HIV/AIDS. DCSA also decided to provide prevention, care, support and treatment services to employees, their dependants and the community as part of DCSA.s obligation to these stakeholders based on the principles of corporatesocial responsibility (CSR). This is also an extension of DaimlerChrysler's signing of the UN Global Compact on CSR.

• DCSA established a program objective to reduce further spread of HIV infections and SexuallyTransmitted Infections (STIs) and ensure access to treatment, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS among the workforce of DCSA, their families and their immediate communities and to effectively manage the impact of HIV/AIDS on DCSA.
• DCSA estimated a 2001 HIV prevalence of 9% in 2001. Further, DCSA had observed an increase in the proportion of employee deaths attributable to HIV/AIDS since 1997; although no increase in the death rate has been detected. In 2002, DCSA estimated that the average present value cost per HIV infection is US$ 31,000. In the forecasted peak year for HIV/AIDS related expenditures, DCSA forecasted expenses equivalent to 4% of DCSA.s salaries.
• In order to determine whether or not the project was effective, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and DCSA established project process and outcome indicators aligned with project objectives and interventions.

DCSA.s 2002 HIV/AIDS project budget is US$ 44 per employee per year or 0.5% of payroll

Program Description

DCSA formed a partnership with labour, represented by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, management and GTZ to prevent new infections, to provide care, support and treatment for HIV+ employees and dependants and to play an advocacy role regarding HIV/AIDS interventions at the workplace, in the community and at provincial and national levels.

• DCSA first codified its HIV/AIDS workforce policies in 1996. The policy is updated annually in the first quarter of every year and the most recent version was written in April 2002. Each version is signed and approved by the union and management.
• Workplace prevention programs focus on behavior change through intensive employee and management education, utilization of a peer educator approach, services of nurse practitioner counselors, condom promotion and distribution, and Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT).
• Every employee is required to belong to the Corporate Health Plan, which ensures funding for HIV/AIDS treatment for employees and dependants (Aid for AIDS (AFA) disease management program) including Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment (HAART). Each business unit also provides wellness programmes, which can include general health promotion, nutritional support and counseling, Syndromic STI management, tuberculosis (TB) treatment through Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) and health status monitoring.

Programme Evaluation

DCSA and GTZ regularly review project performance.

• GTZ and DCSA are contractually obligated to submit regularly scheduled activity and outcome reports. The reports measure and analyse specific processes, outcomes and interventions dictated by the co-authored project strategy and operational plan documents.
• Upon completion of the project, DCSA will conduct an HIV seroprevalence survey and a Knowledge, Attitude, Perceptions and Behaviour (KAPB) profile assessment.

DCSA and GTZ will continue to focus on project interventions dictated by the project operational plans but will also focus on community interventions, assessing the cost-benefit impact of prevention and treatment, and institutionalization of the project.

Case study taken from the World Economic Forum’s Global Health Initiative case study library.