Implementing non-discriminative policy against AIDS urged in Zambia

LUSAKA--The Zambia AIDS Law Research and Advocacy Network (ZARAN) has said that 90 percent of workers infected with HIV/AIDS in work places have been discriminated due to lack of anti-AIDS policies in most companies.

In a statement released in Lusaka Saturday, ZARAN communication officer Paul Sichalwe said Zambian businesses and government departments need to implement effective HIV/AIDS policies to stem the increase in discrimination cases.

He said private companies and the government departments should implement policies that embrace prevention, care, support and treatment for HIV positive employers, according to local media reports on Sunday.

"Without action by employers to protect the working rights of people living with HIV and AIDS, they will continue to suffer discrimination," he said.

Schalwe urged the government to support this process by implementing legislation that properly protects all Zambians from discrimination and most especially people living with HIV/AIDS.

He said ZARAN has been waiting for about five years for the government to keep its promise of enacting such legislation as a commitment made in 2001.

He said the government made the commitment under UN General Assembly special session declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS in 2001 to enact, strengthen and enforce regulation and other measure to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and members of vulnerable groups.

ZARAN is an non-governmental organization that is championing the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS through advocacy, research, education, law, policy reform and development.

Source: Xinhua