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

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

The government should positively intervene on behalf of the  issues pertaining to a workforce that brings an annual income of Rs.5  billion and save 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  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.

• Women migrants are especially vulnerable to exploitation  and sexual abuse by their employers, leading them to become infected with  HIV or STI’s