Lagos — The Federal Government has approved a National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS, to tackle discrimination and stigmatisation.

Minister for Labour, Dr Hassan Lawal, said this yesterday in Abuja, at a forum, where he said the policy would checkmate incidences of discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWAs) at work places.

According to Lawal, no employer has the right to discriminate against PLWA's either in terms ofemployment or in the workplace and the same goes for albinos.

The issues to be addressed in the policy include protection from stigma, discrimination andexclusivity, protection of the rights of job seekers and employment prospects.

The policy indicates that no obligation will be placed on the employee to reveal his or herHIV/AIDS status to the employer. Persons at work who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS would not be stigmatised or discriminated against by co-workers, union members, employers, clients, care providers, health professionals, state officials and establishments.

The policy also stipulates that employees living with HIV/AIDS would not be denied access to statutory benefits and occupationally-relatedwelfare schemes.

Health Insurance coverage would be available to employees regardless of HIV status and no HIV testwould be imposed as a condition to access any health insurance scheme.

It further stipulates that HIV screening would not be required of job applicants or persons in employment and on environmental safety and health in workplaces, Lawal charged employers to ensure that workplace environment were safe adding, "employers should stop cutting corners."

He also advised workers to be safety-conscious, noting that a healthy and safe environment wouldenhance productivity.