R300 000
invested in
project, writes Anna Cox
THE DEPARTMENT of Transport has launched Operation Hot Spot as part of its initiative to combat the HIV/Aids epidemic in the trucking industry.
This forms part of an initiative started last year by the department and the Road Freight Transport Industry's national bargaining council, which represents the major transport union and road freight operators in South Africa.
The council has invested R300 000 in the project which focuses on training and education as the main thrust to combat the spread of HIV/sexually transmitted diseases and Aids.
Operation Hot Spot will continue until April.
The operation is targeting both heavy duty vehicle drivers and sex workers who play a major role in terms of selling sexual favours to the industry's drivers.
It involves drivers and sex workers attending a 45 minute HIV/Aids presentation, spending 15 minutes with a nurse and the data being recorded.
Another aim is to concentrate on sexually transmitted diseases by offering drivers access to medical attention.
The three areas which will be targeted are Harrismith, Colesberg and Beit Bridge.
The overall project has three elements. The first phase will focus on management training, targeting human resources and industrial relations managers and providing them with skills to manage people in the workplace with HIV and Aids, while at the same time explaining to them how Aids will impact on the business.
Phase two involves a workshop for shop stewards and the third phase focuses on the employees.
Three full-time Aids trainers will visit companies and train peer educators who will spread the message in the workplace by informing employees of the bio-medical facts, HIV statistics, personal and social issues as well as legal, ethical and workplace issues.
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