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Ms. Patricia Donald
Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS
Ruthven Road
Kingston

November 9, 2007

Panos [12132007]

Dear Ms. Donald,

I am a 14 years old young man who is very concerned about persons infected by HIV in the workplace. I think people who are infected should be allowed to work without being discriminated against. HIV cannot be transmitted by touching, sharing equipment or talking to each other or shaking hands. So can you please encourage employers and workers not to discriminate against their colleagues who are infected.

Everybody should get an equal opportunity to work and feel free and comfortable. Let us think for a moment if all employers fired all workers who are HIV positive, what would happen to the society? There would be an increase in crime and violence, people would become involved in drugs, women start selling their bodies and more and more Jamaicans would be at risk of contracting the disease. In addition, with less workers, the economy would come to a standstill.

So I am asking you to help us spread the message that people living with HIV need employment. I am willing to work with you to start a programme to inform people in the workplace about HIV. You could call it “A taste of paradise”

I am yours sincerely

Eric Daley

Patricia Watson
Regional Director, Panos [12132007]