In a global survey conducted recently by the World Economic Forum Global Health Initiative, the Harvard School of Public Health and UNAIDS showed that industries appear to be making decisions based on a patchy assessment of the risks they face. There is a need, therefore, to have a systematic approach in implementing the HIV/AIDS prevention programme at the workplace.

In India, the industries have an important role to play to limit the costly social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS. Apart from taking the responsibility to resist the epidemic, they should fight against it within their workplace.

A release from Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry says, decrease in supply of labour, loss of skilled and experienced workers, an increase in absenteeism, increase in new recruitment, increased labour costs for employers from health insurance, increase in costs for providing medical care, increase in cost for death benefits, can be regarded as the impact of HIV/AIDS at the Workplace.

Industries are increasingly recognizing that HIV/AIDS can affect productivity and profitability at workplace. The proactive role of Industries in the HIV/AIDS prevention programme can have an impact on the future by showing down the spread of the infection which will have a greater impact on Industries and the economy, a release added.

Having a workplace policy on HIV/AIDS will ensure employees their Human Rights and help employers to manage the epidemic at the workplace. The HIV/AIDS policy should establish 10 general principles - recognition of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, no discrimination in relation to recruitment, promotion, training, etc, gender equality, health and safety (including reasonable accommodation for AIDS-related illness), social dialogue as a means to develop and implement HIV/AIDS policy, HIV screening should not be required from job applicants or persons in employment, Confidentiality, continuation of the employment relationship and grounds for dismissal, prevention, care and support.

However, policy will need to refer to the workplace agreements such as grievance and dispute procedures, disciplinary procedure, health and safety agreements and grounds for dismissal.

Responding to the need, the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Avert Society have together brought out the Manual on "HIV/AIDS Management at the Workplace" which is aimed at-encouraging Industries to take initiative and responsibility to be the key players in the HIV/AIDS prevention programme of the country, particularly Maharashtra and guiding a company to formulate its own policy according to its own needs, processes and resources.

As a part of the crusade, several Indian companies such as L&T, Glaxo, Tata Tea, Tata Steel, SAIL, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Bajaj Auto have successfully launched preventive efforts. Apollo tyres provide general and sexual health services for truckers and the transport community. SAIL's major initiatives include school AIDS education programme, family health awareness campaign, safe blood and blood products and voluntary counseling and testing centre alongside training to all medical personnel, the release says.