Compulsory HIV tests for staff raise invasion of privacy fears

EMPLOYEES of a Kwun Tong trading firm are angry at being forced to take AIDS and Hepatitis B blood tests after promotional leaflets for a private testing clinic were faxed to their boss.

Staff said they were forced to take the tests despite their fear of needles, and said their employer stood by to ensure the tests went ahead.

AIDS workers said the promotions could encourage employers to have their workforce tested, raising questions of privacy and discrimination against anyone found to have a disease.

The leaflet, from the newly established Preventative Medicine Promotion Centre, said: '. . . We'll send our registered nurses to your company to give a free lecture on Hepatitis B.

'A blood test for Hepatitis B costs only $50 per person . . . for the benefit of your own health, please join our promotion!' Centre supervisor Eddie Chung said his firm was a new commercial body which handled promotions for several laboratories.

'The public lacks knowledge about health care, so we provide them with letters. On the other hand, we also help the laboratories gain business,' Mr Chung said.

'It's not a compulsory test - we send the promotional letter and it's up to them.' AIDS Foundation spokesman Helen Law Ka-luen said direct advertising from private laboratories could lead to increasing numbers of employees being forced to take HIV tests.

'Every employee should have a say. I strongly oppose any HIV test done on an involuntary basis,' Ms Law said. 'It is discrimination and neglects the right of privacy.' One Hong Kong employee was seeking legal advice from the Foundation after his employer allegedly threatened to sack him unless he agreed to take an HIV blood test. The pressure came in the wake of workplace rumours that the employee had AIDS.

'We are open to hear complaints from all HIV carriers and are ready to provide legal aid if they are threatened by their boss,' Ms Law said.

An employee of the Kwun Tong company, a 27-year-old Mr Lai, said he agreed to a blood test last month, under pressure from his employer.

'I can't understand why we have to do the HIV test. We are only a trading company, we are not running a nightclub. I considered resigning because my boss had totally ignored our dignity and privacy,' he said.

The general manager of a Hunghom trading company, Mrs Wong, 31, said she was astonished to receive the unsolicited promotional material.

'I couldn't imagine that a laboratory would do business by calling the companies and doing the test right at your office,' she said.

'I feel it is unsafe and unhygienic to do the tests in my office. And I can't accept their promotional style.' Medical Laboratory Technologists' Board secretary Tse Kar-po said the way in which laboratories promoted themselves was beyond the control of the industry watchdog.