CIRCULAR
Goa State AIDS Control Society in collaboration with Inspectorate of Factories & Boilers and Green Triangle Society is organizing a Workshop on “Workplace Intervention for HIV Prevention”, on Friday 19th August 2011 from 10 to 13.30 hrs. at Conference hall of Institute of Safety, Occupational Health and Environment, Inspectorate of Factories & Boilers, Altinho, Panaji Goa.
HIV/AIDS is a major threat to the world of work. It has shown maximum impact on the most productive segment of the labour force. In countries with high HIV prevalence rates, it has cut the supply of labour and slashed income of workers, adversely affected enterprise performance and national economies.
HIV/AIDS affects fundamental rights at work, particularly with respect to discrimination and stigmatization of workers and people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination at the workplace gets reflected in the form of loss of employment and livelihood opportunities in addition to ostracism and seclusion faced by workers either due to known or presumed HIV status.
The threat of HIV to the Indian working population is evident from the fact that nearly 90% of the reported HIV infections are from the most productive age group of 15-49 years.
India has a working population of over 400 million, 93% of whom are in the informal economy. The informal/unorganized sector labour is hard to reach and is characterized by low literacy, negligible social protection benefits, difficult working conditions, poor health seeking 5orporat and limited access to health care services.
A large number of people migrate, both internally as well as overseas in search of better employment/livelihood opportunities. Though not all migrant workers are at equal risk, the process of migration enhances vulnerability to infections such as HIV, particularly to those who are single, stay away from families for long durations, and work under difficult conditions.
Expanding HIV/AIDS policy and programmes in the world of work is a key component under the mainstreaming strategy in the National AIDS Control Programme phase-III (2007-2012).
It was observed that a national policy guideline on HIV/AIDS interventions in the world of work would be of immense value.
The organizers extend you an invitation for the programme and look forward to your active participation. There is no participation fee since the program is being sponsored by Goa State AIDS Control Society.
Since seats are limited ( MAX 50), kindly confirm your participation SMS /Email /FAX latest by 18th August 2011 with Shri Kishor Dhume Cell 9403880500 Tel no. 2221237, TEL/ Fax 2232446 Email gtstrg@gmail.com
Yours faithfully
( S. M PARANJAPE)
Chief Inspector of Factories & Boilers
