National Policy on HIV/ AIDS & the World of Work

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

 

Please find atteched herewith Meeting for Adoption of National Policy on HIV/

AIDS & the World of Work in Gujarat.

Minutes of the Meeting for Adoption of National Policy on HIV/ AIDS & the World

of Work

The meeting for Adoption of National Policy on HIV/AIDS & the World of Work was

held under the chairmanship of Dr.  Varesh Sinha (IAS), Additional Chief

Secretary, Labor & Employment Dept. Gujarat at 15:30 hrs on 11th September,

2010, in Committee Room, Block No. 5, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar.

The list of participants is at Annexure A.

The meeting commenced with a welcome note by Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Additional

Project Director (APD), Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS). The minutes

of the proceedings are as under:

 

Agenda No.1: HIV/ AIDS Scenario: India & Gujarat

APD, GSACS, made a presentation on HIV/AIDS scenario and briefed about the trend

of HIV/AIDS in High Risk Groups (HRGs) and general population. He explained that

high industrialization (both in organized/ unorganized sectors) and high

migration (single male type -both inter & intra state) were the major causes

that made Gujarat vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Lack of awareness among migrant

population rendered them more susceptible to HIV/AIDS.

Agenda No.2: GSACS & its activities

APD, GSACS, presented various activities being undertaken by GSACS, viz.

Targeted Interventions (TIs), Integrated Counseling & Testing Centers (ICTCs),

STI Care, Blood Safety, Care Support & Treatment and IEC & Mainstreaming. He

gave details about various schemes initiated by Gujarat state for mainstreaming

the HIV/AIDS issue and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs).

Agenda No.3: Adoption of National Policy on HIV/AIDS & the World of Work

APD, GSACS, elaborated upon the need of Policy on HIV/AIDS and world of work. He

discussed the key strategies and Guiding Principles of the policy.

Ms. V L Joshi, I.A.S., Principal Secretary (Public Health) & PD, GSACS

emphasized on non-discrimination on the basis of HIV status and stigma free

environment at workplace and insisted that HIV infection should not be a cause

for termination of labors. She suggested that condoms and IEC materials should

be made available at all workplaces and industrial hospitals.

Agenda No.4: Expectations from Labor & Employment Department

APD, GSACS gave an overview about the expectations, as mentioned below:

Adoption of National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS in all industries.

Training institutes may incorporate HIV/AIDS issues in training agenda. Discuss

related issues in different meetings.

Industrial managers, TU leaders & labor department employees may be sensitized.

Film on HIV, posters/ pamphlets may be displayed at workplace - such material

can be developed with technical support from GSACS.

Condoms availability at workplace may be ensured.

IEC materials for HIV/AIDS services delivery may be displayed at work place &

hospitals. The IEC material should focus on how not to get infected and uptake

of services (HIV testing and Treatment)

Eliminate stigma and discrimination against PLHA workers so as to enable them to

share their status freely.

Give priority to protect people most vulnerable to HIV and PLHA

Special Information Centers may be established at strategic locations for

in-migration & out-migration populations

Agenda No.-5 Items suggested by the Chair

Dr.  Varesh Sinha (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Labor & Employment Dept.

Gujarat made the following suggestion for developing state policy on HIV/AIDS

and the world of work in Gujarat:

Since inter state and intra state migrations significantly contribute to the

vulnerability of the State, mandatory registration of workers should be done.

Every worker must be registered at District Collector’s office.

For increasing the registration of the migrant labors in both organized and

unorganized sectors, an amendment may be made to the Factory Rules. License may

be canceled of those contractors and employers who are engaging labors in work

without registering them at competent authority.

All officials and doctors may be sensitized on HIV/AIDS in their regular

training programme.

A two-hour session on HIV/AIDS may be incorporated in all training programmes of

Labor and Employment Dept. Training module and technical support may be provided

by GSACS.

Half-day sessions on HIV/AIDS may be incorporated in AFIH & CIF courses/training

programmes. Technical support may be provided by GSACS.

IEC materials may be displayed at workplaces, rest houses, hospitals, etc. to

create greater awareness among labors and officers.

For increasing the awareness level and access to service, an official may be

identified in each industry and assigned the responsibility to provide

information about linkages with HIV/AIDS related services. Such materials can be

developed with the technical and financial support from GSACS. While its

distribution will be facilitated by Labor and Employment Dept.

Condoms may be made available in all industries. Condom depot may be set up in

all industries by Labor & Employment Dept. and initially condoms supply may be

ensured by GSACS in coordination with concerned industries.

IEC materials may be displayed at all workplaces, canteens and industrial

hospitals.

Under Factory Act, every factory with 500 or more employees, has a medical

officer. S/he may be sensitized on HIV/AIDS issues. Special Information Centres

may be developed at the clinic. Resource materials may be provided by GSACS.

Further those health centers, which have staff nurse and lab technician can be

motivated to develop Facility Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers

(FICTCs).

For increasing access to counseling and testing services, Facility Integrated

Counseling and Testing Centers (FICTCs) may be established at companies’

hospitals.

There is no need to form an additional committee for HIV/AIDS. Issue of HIV/AIDS

may be incorporated in regular agenda of Safety Committee.

A meeting may be organized soon between officers from GSACS and Labor &

Employment Dept. to chalk out further plan of action and modalities for

implementation of the policy.

With Ms. V. L. Joshi (IAS), Principal Secretary (Public Health), Commissioner

(Health) & PD, GSACS proposing vote of the thanks to the chair and participants

from his department for their valuable contribution, the meeting came to a

conclusion.

Kamlesh Meswaniya

Consultant Mainstreaming

GSACS

e-mail: kn_meswaniya@...