Govt. should intervene to save migrant workers from HIV – pressure groups urge

Colombo, Dec 15 (Daily Mirror) -  The government should positively intervene on behalf of the issues pertaining to a workforce that brings an annual income of Rs.5 billion and saves the migrant workers from contracting HIV, the pressure groups urged yesterday.

Community Development Services (CDS), an organisation committed to the well-being of migrant workers and other vulnerable groups from contracting HIV AIDS said that many migrant workers lack adequate knowledge on how to prevent one from becoming infected with the disease.

Addressing a press conference CDS Executive Director Andrew Samuel said not a single government body including the Ministry of Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Health are responsible for the plight of the migrant worker at present.

Once in a host country these workers have less access to health services and are at increased risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Women migrants are especially vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse by their employers, leading them to become infected with HIV or STI’s.

Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana of National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) said there are no funds allocated for vulnerable groups like migrant workers from the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

Secretary, Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agents (ALFEA) M. F. M. Arshad said there are serious lapses from the side of GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centre’s Association) when conducting medical tests of the fresh migrant workers entering Middle-Eastern countries.

The amount they charge from a worker for a test is very high, which is Rs.38, 000, and also they do not maintain the privacy of the worker who might have tested positive with the HIV AIDS.