Nineteen...companies yesterday committed to join the fight to eliminate HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination in the workplace, during the launch of the Jamaica Business Council on HIV/AIDS (JaBCHA)...In a survey conducted for the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) in February, 23 companies with a total of 23,000 employee were interviewed and 62 per cent of them did not have HIV-specific workplace policies. Additionally, 13 per cent stated that they would not hire applicants who disclosed an HIV-positive status. However, most of the managers interviewed asked for assistance in establishing a stigma-free work environment...The 19 founding member companies of the council are: Bank of Nova Scotia...; Cable and Wireless Ltd; Capital and Credit Financial...; COK Co-operative Credit Union; GraceKennedy Ltd; Guardian Life Ltd [part of Guardian Holdings]; Island Grill; Jamaica Broilers...; Jamaica National Building Society; Jamaica Pegasus Hotel; LASCO Group of Companies; Life of Jamaica Ltd; Manpower Maintenance...; National Commercial Bank Ltd; Paymaster Jamaica Ltd; Red Stripe Diageo; and Restaurant Associates Ltd.