Maputo, Mozambique — Mozambique's two main opposing political parties put aside their differences on Monday to approve a law defending the rights of workers with HIV/Aids.

The ruling Frelimo and its main opposition Renamo agreed that the law was of extreme importance to labour relations in the country, during a meeting of the HIV commission in parliament.

"This should not be a political matter but an issue that all Mozambicans must tackle independently of their political affiliation," said Renamo spokesperson, Zelma Vasconcelos.

Many companies still insist on mandatory HIV tests and refuse to employ people that test positive.

The government has been aware of the problem for some time but no law was in place to prevent the situation.

"The situation that people face every day demands a rapid improvement of the law," said Frelimo spokesperson, Luis Videira.

"It is extremely important to adopt such a law so that people in Mozambique have legal defence," he added.

Government figures estimate that about tow million people between the ages of 15 and 49 are HIV positive with about 700 new infections daily.

Is estimated that about 400 000 people will die from Aids related illnesses by 2002.

The areas most affected are the northern provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Tete and Sofala and the district of Chokwe in Gaza province.

The majority of those living with HIV are Mozambican miners working in South Africa.