Indian corporates turn HIV-friendly

The policy is expected to alleviate the predicament of people like Jayaraj Lokhande. A peon for a telecom firm at Wadala for five years, SSC-pass Lokhande tested positive earlier this month. And the desolate look in his large, brown eyes conveys it all. ‘‘It’s my destiny I suppose,’’ shrugs the 35-year-old. Lokhande is a resident of Sion Koliwada and a father of three. Two months of burning sensation in the palms and feet, and losing 25 kg prompted him to take a test. ‘‘Doctors told me to take a diabetes and HIV test, but main toh hamesha protection use karta tha.’’

After a week of sick leave, Lokhande worries whether his co-workers would suspect anything. ‘‘At our company, we have paid leave only for tuberculosis.’’ When told about the new policy, he breaks down. ‘‘I hope this new policy helps other workers, at least after I’m gone.’’ ‘‘At least our medical expenses will be taken care of. If they provide job security despite our debilitating conditions, that would be a first,’’ Lokhande says.

For corporate houses investing in staff welfare, increasing susceptibility of its workforce to the deadly virus is reason enough to translate such a policy-on-paper into action.

The policy aims to protect all employees against discrimination. While companies such as Siemens India, Tata Steel, the Wockhardt group and GlaxoSmithKline have awareness programmes in place, there is no specific non-discriminatory policy for employees alone.

The policy was worked out by Avert Society (a joint project of NACO, the Maharashtra government and United States Agency For International Development). (Some names have been changed)

Your company, HIV and you

• Employees can say no to tests during recruitment/promotion; it’s not mandatory. Company needs to say why test is required

• Provisions for health, medical care, disability insurance, workers’ compensation and coverage for dependents

• A guarantee that no employee would be unfairly treated based on his/her disclosed HIV status

• Condom-vending machines outside and inside

company premises. The proactive role of industries in prevention of HIV can slow down its spread