Can we release an employee on basis of hepatitis A B or C

Tariq Pervaiz Khan
My question is that we face some situations where after a medicla test it reveals that an employee is having having Hepatitis A, B or C for inatnace. Other staff feel hesitation to contact , shake hands with such staff.
I woould like to know, can we release such employees on the basis of such condition. This question pertains to both parmenent and 3rd party contract stfff, what does the labour law says about this condition.
Best Regards
Head of HR & GA Division
YKK PAKISTAN (PVT) LTD
PLOT 1-23,SECTOR EI-EII,
KARACHI EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE,
LANDHI, KARACHI, PAKISTAN.
Dinesh Divekar
Dear Tariq,
When checked the Wikipedia on whether Hepatitis is contagious or not, I found the following text:
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D are transmitted when blood or mucous membranes are exposed to infected blood and body fluids, such as semen and vaginal secretions. Viral particles have also been found in saliva and breast-milk. However, kissing, sharing utensils, and breastfeeding do not lead to transmission unless these fluids are introduced into open sores or cuts.
Wikipedia clearly mentions how the disease spreads. Therefore, what your company staff merits education on getting infected due to Hepatitis. The employee who is infected due this disease requires moral support. Amidst this if you remove him from the job, it would be double whammy to him.
You may call general physician and arrange guest lecture for the company staff. This will help removing misgivings about the disease.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
Tariq Pervaiz Khan
Dear Dinesh,
Thank you for your kind and urgent reply, basically I would agree with you, seems fair from humantarian point of view. However, to make more clear, and protective for such employees, Iw would also search for some laws, applicbale in such conditions to potect such employees from being fired.
best regards,
Tariq pervaiz.
KK!HR
First of all, check whether there is any national level anti-discrimination policy on Hepatitis in Pakistan and if it is there follow the same. Further, it depends a lot on the nature of your business, for instance if you are in food processing industry or in medical service it is not desirable. Your address shows the organisation to be in Export Processing Zone, many countries insist on medical clearance of the employees before allowing imports from them, in such cases it is better to have a clear cut policy in this regard and have regular check-up of all employees. Any employee tested to be positive would render to be unfit for employment
nathrao
Education is the key to change.
Call a doctor who can give a general coverage on Hepatitis,AIDS etc
The boss can set an example of publicly shaking hands and interacting with the employee closely.
It is like thinking that Vitiligo is infectious.
it is just an auto immune disease where your skin becomes white.
See the health rules of your country.
It may specify certain jobs which should not be done at certain stage of the disease.
A lot depends on what industry your company is involved in.
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