Research conducted in January 2008 on 10 farms in the Hoedspruit area confirmed the seriousness of the HIV epidemic in the area. It also found farm workers highly vulnerable to HIV infection. The results indicated 29% of farm workers in the community are infected with HIV, a rate of HIV prevalence, which is considerably higher than that of the general population in Limpopo Province.
The study found young farm workers and female farm workers, especially unmarried women, young women, and women who live away from the farms on which they work, are vulnerable to HIV infection. Moreover, 60% of all employees and 53% of HIV positive employees do not know their HIV status, while a high proportion of employees report never using a condom. This research builds on earlier studies that also revealed alarming levels of unsafe sexual behaviour among farm workers.
See also www.iom.org.za
Equitable solution
Hlokomela’s partnership with commercial farms in the Hoedspruit area is not only a humanitarian response to an unfolding human tragedy - it also makes sound business sense. A study conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) compared the costs of operating HIV education, counselling and testing, and staff time spent on the programme, with the costs of HIV and AIDS to the company, including employee turnover, training new staff, loss of productivity, absenteeism and funeral costs. The report found workplace HIV and AIDS programmes reduced employee absenteeism, turnover rates and loss of productivity, and assisted employees to cope with discrimination and learn about prevention. Six of the seven companies showed net benefits for their HIV and AIDS programmes, amounting to an average of $47 per employee in 2006.
Sensible, informed workplace HIV and AIDS policies and programmes, appropriate training interventions and the roll-out of preventative treatment programmes make for a more productive agricultural industry and enhanced rural socio-economic development.
