The BBC reports that the International Labor Union has released information that says HIV/Aids is having a crippling effect on the workforce in many nations.
The ILO said HIV/Aids killed almost 3.5 million people of working age in 2005.
South Africa, among the worst-affected nations, has announced a plan aiming to halve the infection rate by 2011 and to boost the use of antiretrovirals.
In a speech to mark World Aids Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged more frank and open discussion of HIV/Aids.
All politicians had to consider themselves personally accountable for stopping the spread of the disease, Mr Annan said, as did every individual.
"It requires every one of us to help bring Aids out of the shadows and spread the message that silence is death," he said.
Many African countries have serious HIV/Aids problems. With many HIV/Aids victims of working age it easy to understand how the epidemic could undermine growth and stability in these counties.
