In my journey as an HIV awareness advocate, I have often witnessed the emotional and psychological turbulence experienced by People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Apart from coming to terms with their status, and finding the daily strength to live with the virus, a PLHIV often finds themselves subjected to stigma and discrimination (S&D) due to the general lack of knowledge on HIV.

Discrimination towards PLHIV still exists in modern day work place especially when securing and sustaining employment in Malaysia, and this poses major emotional and mental distress for a PLHIV.

1. Many companies in Malaysia still require newly hired employees to take a mandatory pre-employment health screening in which the HIV 1&2 Tests are included.
2. On top of it, panel clinics appointed to conduct these tests are disclosing the employee's HIV status without their consent, and this is a violation of one's human rights.
3. Some companies even require a new employee to declare their HIV status and sign-off full disclosure to obtain personal health information.

There have been many reported cases (and may more unreported due to fear of exposure) where a new hire is rejected or an employee is asked to resign due to their HIV status. These ordeals add to an internalised fear and insecurity that even leaves some PLHIVs to forgo pursuing the job.

Misconceptions on HIV-related issues and workplace discrimination remain primitive in this modern-day age. It is time to change the perception, and understand that HIV status should not be a decision-maker for hiring.

With a unified voice, we can help bring urgency to this matter resulting in greater visibility and public outreach.

I would like to ask the Malaysian government and the Ministry of Human Resources to set the precedence for all employers in Malaysia by removing HIV testing in all pre-employment health screening. I truly hope that it will officially lead to an act or a policy in the labour law and hiring practice  to end such unjust practice, protect human rights, and to end HIV discrimination in Malaysia.

Please share your voice to help end HIV stigma and discrimination by signing this petition, and speak up for the voiceless (our PLHIV community) by also adding your comments below.

#EndHIVStigma #UequalsU #PLHIVHumanRights #LEV8