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CEYLON WORKERS CONGRESS. Campaign and Workplace Education Programme on HIV-AIDS in Three Plantations of Sri Lanka in Kandy District. Duration: 6 Months Project Language: Tamil Doraiswamy Mathiyugarajah Vice President, CWC 20 th July, 2006.
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Campaign and Workplace Education Programme on HIV-AIDS in Three Plantations of Sri Lanka in Kandy District
Duration: 6 MonthsProject Language: TamilDoraiswamy MathiyugarajahVice President, CWC20th July, 2006
Background: The Tea Industry is one of the major export earners for Sri Lanka. Tea Plantations are located mainly in the central and southern provinces covering a vast land area of the country. There are about 600000 workers working in this industry and about 50000 workers are indirectly involved. With the dependant families this industry is providing a living for nearly 10 – 15 percent of the country's population of 19 million.Women constitutes 60% of the workforce. The workers live on the plantation (workplace) itself in crowded line rooms (10 ft x 10 ft). Their education level is low and the health care available to them is primitive. Knowledge and awareness level on HIV-AIDS is bare minimal.
JUSTIFICATIONAlthough Sri Lanka has a low prevalence rate for HIV-AIDS there are also high risk indicators. This pandemic is threatening the region. The plantation sector workers are very vulnerable because of their low level of education, personal health, poor and crowded living conditions and lack of awareness. The practice of casual sex, multiple partners is common. Usage of condoms is very low in this community. Condoms are not on sale and not available in the estates they live on. Therefore, knowledge, awareness, the dangers of HIV-AIDS and the impact it will have on their work, workplace, their family and the society at large should be educated to them. Safe sex practices and usage of condoms also should be inculcated. The easy availability of condoms in their living area is important.
Target GroupThe Workers living on the Tea Plantation in Kandy District will be the target group. Each estate will have 300 workers as minimum and 150 of them will be women.3 x 300 = 900 workers
On Going Programme:A One Day Sensitisation Programme was conducted by the ILO-COLOMBO HIV-AIDS WORKPLACE EDUCATION PROGRAMME in partnership with the CWC in Kandy on 21.06.06 which was coordinated by me. 30 of the union officers of the CWC participated. They will be trained as trainers in the next month or two.
PartnershipThe Programme will be for 6 month duration CWC will be partnered by the ILO-Colombo HIV-AIDS Workplace Education Programme to implement this project through the already trained union officers. Partnership of the management companies will be obtained for condom promotion.
Development Objectives:On the long term at the conclusion of this project more knowledge and awareness will be created among the workers. They will understand the impact HIV-AIDS would have on them. It would create preventive methods and promote safe sex and condom usage. And thereby prevent HIV-AIDS.
Immediate ObjectivesThere will be an immediate impact on the sexual habits of the workers. With their newly acquired knowledge on HIV-AIDS and its dangers – awareness on prevention will spread amongst even the non-targeted groups (workers of other estates). Key Outputs1. Healthy safe sexual practice will be adopted by the workers. 2. Dangers of HIV infection will be minimised. 3. Hundreds of worker trainers will be created.
ACTIVITIESThree Full day workplace education programme and campaign on three estates will be organised. Poster campaign Leaflets Issue of condoms and condom promotion Role Plays and Street plays on the dangers of HIV/AIDS Follow up programme
Main InputsThe Main Resources1. 30 Already Trained CWC Union Officers (10 female)2. 2 Resource Persons from ILO Colombo office and also financial support for posters, leaflets and other activities is envisaged from ILO3. Plantation Management companies for condom promotion
Indicators of Achievement1. Safe Sex methods will be practiced by the workers2. There will be reduction in casual sex and multiple partnership3. Usage of condoms will increase4. Sale and availability of condoms on the estates5. HIV/AIDS will be prevented
Monitoring/Reporting/Evaluation1. Monitoring will be done on the impact of the campaign by the union leaders on the target estates on a monthly basis.2. A progress report will be made every 3 months by the union officers and ILO Colombo Office3. A self evaluation will be done by the workers themselves with the help of the union officers after 6 months4. An independent evaluation will be done by the ILO Colombo and plantation management and by Representatives of CWC at the end of the programme