AIDS lessons at the workplace

March 6, 2002

The Pioneer March 5, 2002 - Neharika Mathur

AIDS remains one of the most widespread and fatal disease in India, with an

estimated 3.5 million people infected by the dreaded HIV virus. And worst of

all, it directly infects the most productive age group, between 18-45, people

who form the largest part of the workforce in most countries. The Rai Bahadur

Gujarmal (RBGM) Foundation, therefore, organised an interactive seminar on

February 26 for the launch of its Workplace Intervention Project, aimed at

spreading HIV/AIDS awareness amongst the working classes as well as industrial

labourers. This is the first time that such a programme has been launched in

association with members of the PHD Family Welfare Association, representatives

of the Indian Labour Organisation (ILO), the National AIDS Control Organisation

(NACO) as well as the Delhi State AIDS Control Society.

Of course, this, to some extent, lies in the self-interest of the company

itself. Samir Modi, chairman, RBGF, says they had begun to feel the need to

provide their own employees with tools which would help them fight the menace.

Criticising the Indian medical system, he says, " There is no proper

infrastructure in place and the janta cannot afford to pay for testing either.

So, it becomes our duty to try and spread awareness amongst our workers. Losing

them would be like losing an investment. That raises the cost of production and

also increases hospital, welfare and pension costs. "

According to Mr. Afsar of the ILO, " AIDS has a profound impact on workers and

their families, enterprises and even national economies and even national

economies. This, therefore, is a workplace issue as well as a development

challenge. "

As part of the programme, plans are afoot to spread formal and informal

education about HIV/AIDS amongst staff, push up the availability of condoms and

the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases as also voluntary testing. The

company also plans to provide counselling, care and support facilities to it

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Dr.Jagdish Harsh ( jharsh@... )

Director of Administration and Operations

François-Xavier Bagnoud (INDIA) ( www.fxb.org )

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