SWAZILAND: Construction workers' hostel not wanted in upmarket suburb

mbabane, 28 March 2005 (PlusNews) - A Swazi construction firm and real estate developer have bowed to popular fears over the spread of HIV/AIDS by ending the use of on-site single sex workers' hostels in a new upmarket development on the outskirts of the capital, Mbabane.

"The contractor shall ensure that workers do not camp on site. Only watchmen will be allowed to stay on site after working hours," said the Comprehensive Mitigation Plan for Ekuthuleni Township, which is about to be built in Ezulwini. The mitigation plan includes HIV/AIDS in its evaluation of the project's impact.

Swaziland is in its second decade of a public works construction boom, which has seen a tripling of the country's highway network and the building of dams and large-scale public works projects. The Ekuthuleni Township project is the first time that workers' hostels have been banned.

Incorporated in 1998, Ezulwini is the centre of Swaziland's luxury hotel industry. Only 5 km from Mbabane, the narrow valley defined by the Mndzimba mountain range is also home to large private estates, executive apartments, and a government-owned cluster of luxury guest houses.

"In Swaziland, AIDS is not necessarily a 'poor people's disease', because it is so widespread. But there are segments of the population who are AIDS magnets, like prostitutes and itinerate workers. Single sex hostels are known to be definite HIV magnets," said one Ezulwini homeowner, who did not wish to give her name.

Because of the location of luxury hotels and the nearness of key tourist attractions, prostitution has been a presence in Ezulwini since the 1970s. Town residents said they feared sex workers would be attracted to the construction workers' hostels.

"AIDS is not just a rural problem. [The virus] has now entered public discourse when developmental and construction projects are considered. This shows a high degree of public awareness and concern about AIDS," said Rudolph Maziya, national coordinator for the Alliance of Mayors Initiative to Counter AIDS at the Local Level.

The organisation, whose members are the country's eleven incorporated urban areas, is headquartered in Ezulwini.

However, other health officials said concerns about workers hostels were misplaced.

"Workers hostels do not breed AIDS. Ignorance breeds AIDS. Workers need to be educated on prevention measures," said social welfare worker Gloria Dlamini.

A manager of a Swazi-owned construction company said, "Banning workers' hostels will increase costs and impact on building and development in Swaziland.

"Where will workers stay? How will they get to a site in a timely manner, particularly if the site is in the middle of nowhere, like the new airport?," he asked.

The contractor said banning hostels, rather than reforming the way in which workers are treated during limited duration construction jobs, was a symptom of AIDS panic in a country in which close to 40 percent of the adult population is estimated to be HIV positive.

Theme (s): Economy,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]