|
Employment
While HIV is not transmitted in the majority of
workplace settings, the supposed risk of transmission has been used
by numerous employers to terminate or refuse employment. There is
also evidence that if people living with HIV/AIDS are open about
their infection status at work, they may well experience
stigmatisation and discrimination by others.
"Nobody will come near me, eat with me in the
canteen, nobody will want to work with me, I am an outcast here".
Pre-employment screening takes place in many
industries, particularly in countries where the means for testing
are available and affordable.
In poorer countries screening has also been reported
as taking place, especially in industries where health benefits are
available to employees. Employer-sponsored insurance schemes
providing medical care and pensions for their workers have come
under increasing pressure in countries that have been seriously
affected by HIV and AIDS. Some employers have used this pressure to
deny employment to people with HIV or AIDS.
"Though we do not have a policy so far, I can say
that if at the time of recruitment there is a person with HIV, I
will not take him. I' ll certainly not buy a problem for the
company. I see recruitment as a buying-selling relationship. If I
don't find the product attractive, I'll not buy it."
|
