Call for HIV/AIDS policies in workplace

New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) Employers should take serious steps to introduce HIV/AIDS policies at the workplace, especially for women employees, a USAID-backed workshop was told today.

Representatives of trade unions, businesses and human rights organisations at the 'HIV/AIDS - A Workplace Issue: Areas of Intervention' said the time has come to put in place good HIV/AIDS workplace policies.

The importance of providing information on HIV/AIDS and having workplace policies and control programmes in place to allay misconceptions and fear of employees were also stressed at the workshop organised by the US Embassy and NGO 'Women, Work and Health Initiative'.

''Awareness of HIV/AIDS is the first step in combating the pandemic. Awareness of workplace issues necessary to design and implement effective workplace policies is a close second,'' said Dr Peeyush Jain, former joint director of Delhi State AIDS Control Society.

The participants, who included ILO officials, NGOs and academics from universities, also spoke against discrimination of HIV-infected workers.

''At no cost should HIV infection become any source of discrimination,'' said Dr Mohammad Afsar, ILO's National Programme Coordinator.

A special preview of the film 'HIV/AIDS is Serious Business', which shows various workplace programmes in Maharashtra, was part of the day-long workshop.

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