HIV test must for transport workers

COIMBATORE: The State Government has proposed to make it mandatory for motor transport company workers to undergo a HIV/AIDS test once in every three months.Draft Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Motor Transport Workers’ Rules 1965, notified by the Labour and Employment Department, mandate a compulsory medical check up for HIV/AIDS for workers of all motor transport undertakings.Presently, lorry and truck drivers in TN have been classified as high risk groups in so far as contracting HIV is concerned. Clause 25 (A) of the Draft Amendment says that “the employer of every motor transport undertaking shall ensure that all the workers shall subject themselves for medical check-up for testing for HIV/AIDS.” The test must be carried out within 3 months from the date of the notification of the amended rule.