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Ignorant migrant workers prone to HIV
KATHMANDU, AUG 05 -
Nepali migrant workers can be made less prone to HIV/AIDS during their stay abroad if they are made aware of the disease, its causes and preventive measures before their departure, informed sources agree.
At a programme organised by Youth Power Nepal (YPN) on Thursday, speakers suggested manpower agencies and Foreign Employment Promotion Board, including other concerned bodies, initiate efforts to create awareness among job aspirants before their leaving for foreign labour markets.
“Most of those employed abroad are illiterate and do not know much about HIV/AIDS. This makes them indulge in unsafe sex and drug injection in the foreign land,” said Rishi Ojha, Chairperson of YPN.
“When they come home infected with HIV, they risk the health of their spouses and children to be born.”
According to the data published by the National Center for AIDS and STD Control in June, there are 15,945 cumulative HIV/AIDs cases in Nepal, with a whopping 44 percent of them being clients of sex workers (in the country and foreign countries).
The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management estimates 2.27 million Nepalis to be employed abroad currently.
The figure excludes illegal migrant workers who take the India route abroad exploiting the open border.
Foreign Employment Regulations requires migrant workers’ orientation on HIV/AIDS before they leave the country. However, the provision, according to the Association for Foreign Employment Orientation Nepal, is largely ignored by manpower agencies as well as workers.
Posted on: 2010-08-06 08:25
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