Calcutta: Corporate sector under AIDS scanner

April 17, 2005

Firms under AIDS scanner

A STAFF REPORTER

Calcutta, April 16: With the number of AIDS cases spiralling

everyday, the state government has decided to focus on the corporate

sector to spread awareness about the disease.

" With the disease taking menacing proportions and instructions on

HIV and AIDS prevention not seriously taken by Calcuttans,

especially in the corporate sector, we have decided to take the lead

in explaining to people about the hazards of the disease, " says S.R.

Das, the director of the State Productivity Council (SPC).

On Monday, the council, along with the International Labour

Organisation (ILO) — represented by the State Labour Institute —

will kick off an orientation programme for corporate groups on

HIV/AIDS prevention at workplaces in the city as well as in the

districts.

Several big firms like ITC, Webel, Castrol and East India

Pharmaceuticals will be part of the campaign. " We are trying to get

as many people as possible for the programme, which will be attended

by experts in this field, " said Das.

The objective of the programme is to expand the AIDS prevention

programme to workers and their families as well as provide social

protection to help those affected cope with the disease.

The ILO has been making special efforts to prevent the spread of the

disease and mitigate its impact in workplaces.

Around 50. 51 lakh people in the 15-49 age group are estimated to be

affected by the virus in India. " Most of those who die of AIDS are

adults in their productive and reproductive prime, with severe

consequences on economic development, " states an ILO report.

The disease, till 2000, had affected over 36.1 million people around

the world. According to ILO estimates, at least 23 million workers

in the 15-49 age group are infected with HIV the world over, which

is about three-quarters of all adults affected by the virus.

The loss of skilled people due to AIDS-related illnesses is causing

serious decline in productivity. There can be a risk of infection,

especially where workers have to stay away from homes for long

periods — for instance, transport, mining and defence services.

The disease is changing the age and sex distribution among workers,

raising the number of widows, orphans, and the elderly facing

economic uncertainty.

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