THERE have been reports in the media that the Singhs of “massage my leg” fame   have apologized to our Amerindian Brothers and Sisters for their distasteful remarks leveled against them. I wish to draw attention to another abhorrent aspect of what the Singhs arrogantly trumpeted when they met the media about a week ago.
The couple stated that they did not hire HIV positive people and that prospective employees must produce an HIV certificate reflecting a negative result before they are favorably considered for employment. Editor, apart from the fact that a person’s HIV test result is confidential; the ILO code of practice identifies stigmatising and discriminating infected persons as a fundamental no-no.
In Guyana, support and treatment are available, free of cost for infected persons. Long gone are the days when HIV was considered a death sentence. PLWHA are living for decades and are performing equally effective alongside, at no risk to their colleagues and place of employment.
I call upon the Singhs to apologise to the community of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS for their arrogance and insensitivity. Further, I wish to request newly elected Chairperson of the GBCHA, Mrs. Tracey Lewis and her dedicated Board of Directors to reach out to sole traders and businesses operating in the informal economy to sensitize them about HIV as well as the benefits to be derived from embracing workplace programmes that cater to prevention, care and treatment