Migrante, a large group of Filipino migrant workers is against the proposal to require all Filipino workers based in the Middle East undergo an HIV/AIDS test. This call came after reports that the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is increasing at an alarming rate.

According to the 17 members of the Accredited Medical Clinics Association-Philippines (GAMCA), for the fist six months of the year, they have already detected 19 HIV-positive Filipino workers that are supposed to go to Middle East to work. This is significantly higher than the 2009 record which is only 21 cases for the whole year.

According to Migrante, since HIV/AIDs is a disease that ca be found anywhere in the world, it is not fair to associate the rising number of cases to of the OFWs. The regional coordinator of Migrante in the Midle East, John Leonard Monterona said, “HIV/AIDS is a global phenomenon, and a concern of governments around the world; but it is totally misleading and unfair to equate that the country’s rising numbers of HIV and AIDS cases came from the OFWs especially those going and/or coming from the Middle East.”

Monterona also added that GAMCA’s report of 21 recorded cases of OFWs infected with HIV/AIDS from January to June of this year is a very small percentage because there are currently 1.8 million OFWs working in the Middle East.

The group thinks that the proposed mandatory AIDS test is not necessary or fair and may even violate one’s privacy.

Instead of the HIV/AIDS test, Monterona said that the government should prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS by launching a massive awareness campaign program.

He said, “A voluntary and free-of-charge AIDS test may be included in the awareness campaign program,” he said.