AIDS policy for employees urged

A recent survey reveals that over 50 per cent of the 63 representatives from seven Mumbai corporates know of at least one employee from their organisation who succumbed to AIDS and also one who is HIV positive. The survey, conducted by the Aids Research and Control centre (ARCON), J J Hospital, also revealed that only two of seven companies provide voluntary testing or counselling facilities. "Yet, it is very common that a prospective employee is rejected on the basis of his HIV positive status (Which means that pre-employment testing is indulged in on the sly), " says the director of ARCON Dr Subhash Hira.

The policy, formulated after a day-long workshop on "Towards better understanding of AIDS at the Workplace" is no set criterion that will be followed by corporates. "In fact, it could even fizzle out as yet another list of promises" says a person with HIV.

H R Khushrokhan, Managing director, Glaxo India Limited says, "It is not desirable to make testing and screening compulsory. If an employee volunteers for HIV test, the employer should advice him on where to get a good test done and not interfere further."

Peter Young, Vice President Global Communication Development elaborating on the reasons behind formulating the Glaxo Wellcome policy on HIV said: "There are human rights considerations. Employees with HIV can continue to be highly productive for years. Such a policy effectively retains management staff and skilled labour." ÿ