Under the RPF policy of World Bank infrastructure development of state Government in terms of building / strengthening roads, there has been greater focus on well being of associated labourers and stakeholders associated with the project.  In the project roads, the extension & widening work of Rajasthan State Highway had been undertaken by PPP division of PWD with the assistance & support of World Bank. As the contactor, the HG Infrastructure Engineering Company was involved in widening & extension work of State highway at Banar-Bhopalgar-Kutchera road (SH-63), Jodhpur-Marwar Jn.- Jojhawar (SH 61&61A) & Bhavi-Pipar-Khinvsar road (SH-86 C). About 120 staff/ labourers who were either locals or from other states (viz. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh) were deployed by the Company for widening & extension of the State highway.  The Company had established its camp at three places. 1. HG Infrastructure Engineering Base Camp Godawas, Bhopalgarh 2.HG Infrastructure Engineering Camp Luni & 3.HG Infrastructure Engineering Base Camp Jadan. The staff/ labourers used to reside at the camp established by the Company. The labourers were away from their home for longer period for work.

In the above perspective R & R agency CDECS had organized one day Awareness Camp for the staff/labourers on HIV/ AIDS & Labour Safety at three places.

Objective

To aware & exchange information about Covid-19, HIV/AIDS & labour safety withlabourers/ staff who were away from their home & were involved in extension & widening of state highway.

Purpose

• To disseminate information about HIV/AIDS & labour safety amongst labourers/ staff.
• To enhance their capacity about HIV/AIDS infection, prevention & treatment.
• To disseminate information about importance of regular use of protective equipment/gear for head, foot, eyes, ear, face & etc at work site.
• To expand their understanding about HIV/AIDS & labour safety.
• To aware labourers /staff & thus provide security & protection to family & community.
• To create awareness about COVID-19 and various precautions to be followed

With the help of Flex Chart the participant were given information about HIV/AIDS & various medium of HIV transmission/ infection.

• Use of infected/ unproductive needles/syringe
• HIV infected blood
• From HIV infected mother to her child
• Unsafe Sex/ Not faithful to partner

Detailed discussion were held with the participants on the above four medium of HIV/AIDS infection and how to prevent it.

• Always use fresh/new needle/syringe
• Use tested/ certified blood if required
• Proper treatment of HIV infected mother & she should not get pregnant
• Faithful to your partner & always use condom

The participants were also told about symptoms of HIV/AIDS & various myths about HIV/AIDS. Symptoms of HIV/AIDS are fever, chill, tiredness, sweating especially during night, muscle aches, joint pain & sore throat etc. The myths about HIV/AIDS are stated here under.

• HIV/AIDS infection can be caused by mosquito bite because the virus never lives in the air.
• Hand shake with HIV infected person can never cause HIV/AIDS.
• Eating food, wearing clothes of infected person can never cause HIV/AIDS.

Session was also organized on labour safety. Participants were told about importance of regular use of protective equipment /gear during work. Many injuries occur not because employees don’t have protective gear but because they choose not to wear it. This means that it is not necessary to have only protective equipment/gear but labour must always use it at the work site. The participants with the help of power point presentation were told about various types of protective equipment and its importance & protection for various parts of body viz. head, eyes, foot, ear & etc from possible injuries. The labourers were made aware & motivated about regular use of protective equipment/gear at the work site. It could be the last defense between a worker and a possible injury. The labourers were also informed about various safety tips they must follow at the construction site. The road-wise status of HIV/AIDS prevention awareness campaign is given in table & figure.