It said if such screening is undertaken then employers may do “anonymous” study in accordance with professional ethics and workers should be consulted before it is done.

The policy document on “HIV/AIDS and the world of work” has been jointly prepared by Labour and Employment Ministry and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) recently in the backdrop of swelling migrant labour population in the country.

It stated there is no justification for asking job applicants or workers to disclose HIV related personal information. Nor should co-workers be obliged to reveal personal information about fellow workers.

Personal information covered by medical confidentiality should be stored only by personnel who are “bound by rules on medical secrecy.”