Migrants triggering HIV scare

Thiruvananthapuram: An expert, who conducted a survey on the migrant labour population in Kerala on behalf of the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT), feels that sex trade is flourishing, courtesy the overwhelming presence of migrants who bring sex workers from their home states.

Current statistics reveal that there are 25 lakh migrant population in Kerala with majority of them based in Kottayam and Perumbavoor, near Kochi. Sensing danger, the Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) has launched remedial measures. Its joint director Dennis Joseph feels that it is a reverse trend where they add to the STD/HIV load by liaising with local sex workers.

At a recent national seminar on ‘sexual violence against children,’ labour minister Shibu Baby John made the startling revelation on the trend of sex workers from across the state making a beeline to particular districts in Kerala where there is an influx of migrant labourers. John admitted that this finding was not included in the survey conducted by GIFT.

The study was undertaken by GIFT director D. Narayana, associate professor C.S. Venkiteswaran and retired IAS officer M.P. Joseph, who is an advisor to the labour minister on labour reforms. The methodology for understanding the numbers and the socio-economic context of the Domestic Migrant Labour (DML) was based on surveys conducted as per 63 long distance trains entering Kerala through the Konkan railway and through Palakkad.

“The DML here are almost entirely male and 75 percent of them are in the age group of 18-29 years with majority of them coming from West Bengal (20 percent), Bihar (18.10 percent), Assam (17.28 percent) and Uttar Pradesh (14.83 percent).

We have to address their issues as their sexual need cannot be ignored easily and we found out that they are bringing women from their states,” the expert, who wished to remain anonymous, told DC.