Work Permit &Hiv

[oliver89]

I was wondering if there are restiction for PLHIV to apply for work permit in thailand

[Soutpeel]

Legally/officially no, but one would suspect if immigration/DOL happened to find out, they may make it difficult to get a WP issued....

[Scott]

There is a requirement for a medical exam, although this is pretty cursory. There is also a requirement for a syphilis exam.

[Galong]

I've got a mate who has been in Thailand for a very long time and has been HIV+ for over a decade. He gets meds at a government hospital and has never had the slightest problem with his work permit or anything else.

It's not illegal to be HIV+ here. It shouldn't be an issue anywhere. It's not like you're going to get it from a toilet seat.

[saraburioz]

To get the medical, you cannot be HIV +.

The two people I know that have a WP and HIV had to be a little dishonest.

[Galong]

To get the medical, you cannot be HIV +.

The two people I know that have a WP and HIV had to be a little dishonest.

How exactly were the two people dishonest?

I've personally not had a blood test when taking a physical in Thailand. They barely do anything in the physical. Most times they just take your pulse, maybe listen to your heart and sign the paper.

As far as I know, it's not illegal to be HIV+. I don't think you'd win a court battle and it would likely not be in your interest to even try, but the fact of the matter is that they can't legally hold it against anyone.

[Galong]

Legally/officially no, but one would suspect if immigration/DOL happened to find out, they may make it difficult to get a WP issued....

Have you ever heard of anyone finding it difficult to get a work permit under these circumstances? If so, what happened?

Normal social interaction with HIV+ people is not contagious. I don't really see why the government would be concerned to the point of denying a work permit if all other criteria were satisfactory.

[KamnanT]

I don't believe the medical examination required for a work permit includes an HIV antibody test, although as already stated it does include a test for syphilis. What might be more of a hurdle is the pre-employment medical exam that many medium/large firms operating in Thailand require.

I worked for a number of years at a multinational firm's Bangkok office and their pre-employment medical included an HIV antibody test. I asked the HR Director one day, "What would happen if a successful applicant turned out to be HIV+?" and her response was "Their job offer would be rescinded." I smiled and asked why, as the risk to other staff members would be too small to even contemplate. She was clearly horrified at the suggestion that someone with HIV be employed at this company. But as I had already made my sentiments clear, she avoided a confrontation by saying, "Because we provide private health insurance for our staff and if we hire an HIV positive person, their medical costs will push up premiums for all staff."

As in many countries, there is still a harsh social stigma associated with being HIV+ in Thailand.

[Galong]

I don't believe the medical examination required for a work permit includes an HIV antibody test, although as already stated it does include a test for syphilis. What might be more of a hurdle is the pre-employment medical exam that many medium/large firms operating in Thailand require.

I worked for a number of years at a multinational firm's Bangkok office and their pre-employment medical included an HIV antibody test. I asked the HR Director one day, "What would happen if a successful applicant turned out to be HIV+?" and her response was "Their job offer would be rescinded." I smiled and asked why, as the risk to other staff members would be too small to even contemplate. She was clearly horrified at the suggestion that someone with HIV be employed at this company. But as I had already made my sentiments clear, she avoided a confrontation by saying, "Because we provide private health insurance for our staff and if we hire an HIV positive person, their medical costs will push up premiums for all staff."

As in many countries, there is still a harsh social stigma associated with being HIV+ in Thailand.

I can see this scenario being the case for many HIV+ cases. You legally have the right to work, but they can always find a reason to simply not hire you.

Syphilis is curable. I don't see why that would prevent someone from being hired.

[Galong]

I did a bit or research and found this on My link

"Migrants registering for a work permit in Thailand must undergo a health examination, but HIV testing is not mandatory, as stipulated in Thailand's National Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace (January 2005). If found unfit, migrant workers may lose their work permit and face deportation."

Now, I don't know if this is specifically targeted at specific nationalities of migrant workers only or if it would also apply to a Westerner who might also be an investor or whatever.

[frankylove]

maybe thailand doesnt want more people with HIV + here maybe im wrong but there is many stupid rules what makes it hard for normal farang to work here so maybe they make up other rules about HIV + people... i think its wrong but its not up to me its up to the visa people...

[Galong]

But as I had already made my sentiments clear, she avoided a confrontation by saying, "Because we provide private health insurance for our staff and if we hire an HIV positive person, their medical costs will push up premiums for all staff."

Insurance companies consider HIV to be a pre-existing condition and therefore not covered. That's how it is my my home country. I'm pretty sure it would be the same here.

The good news is that the meds are actually affordable here. Thailand is much more compassionate when it comes to certain things and meds for HIV and/or AIDS is certainly one of the arenas where this country shines.

[Soutpeel]

I did a bit or research and found this on My link

"Migrants registering for a work permit in Thailand must undergo a health examination, but HIV testing is not mandatory, as stipulated in Thailand's National Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace (January 2005). If found unfit, migrant workers may lose their work permit and face deportation."

Now, I don't know if this is specifically targeted at specific nationalities of migrant workers only or if it would also apply to a Westerner who might also be an investor or whatever.

What a completely arrogant assumption to make....."I am a westerner and want to be treated differently, I am not the same as other nationalities who are "migrant workers"....you would be here as a "migrant" worker and you have a WP...it applies.....FYI someone who is only an investor in company doesnt need a WP...

When I first came to Thailand to work 10 years an HIV test was required as part of your medical, which was then dropped the following year

Be assured, although "legally/officially" they cant refuse you a WP, if immigration/DOL know you have HIV, they will find a reason not to give you a WP

[saraburioz]

From memory - if you suffer from

1. Elephantitis

2. Alcoholism

3. Leprosy

4. TB

i'm sorry - could be wrong about the HIV.

[saraburioz]

To get the medical, you cannot be HIV +.

The two people I know that have a WP and HIV had to be a little dishonest.

How exactly were the two people dishonest?

I've personally not had a blood test when taking a physical in Thailand. They barely do anything in the physical. Most times they just take your pulse, maybe listen to your heart and sign the paper.

As far as I know, it's not illegal to be HIV+. I don't think you'd win a court battle and it would likely not be in your interest to even try, but the fact of the matter is that they can't legally hold it against anyone.

Sorry, they were dishonest as they are both alcoholics and said they weren't.I'm confused.

[Galong]

I did a bit or research and found this on My link

"Migrants registering for a work permit in Thailand must undergo a health examination, but HIV testing is not mandatory, as stipulated in Thailand's National Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace (January 2005). If found unfit, migrant workers may lose their work permit and face deportation."

Now, I don't know if this is specifically targeted at specific nationalities of migrant workers only or if it would also apply to a Westerner who might also be an investor or whatever.

What a completely arrogant assumption to make....."I am a westerner and want to be treated differently, I am not the same as other nationalities who are "migrant workers"....you would be here as a "migrant" worker and you have a WP...it applies.....FYI someone who is only an investor in company doesnt need a WP...

Well, nice high road rant, but I'm merely stating the reality that in Thailand certain nationalities are discriminated against. Burmese workers certainly get a raw deal quite often and that was what I assumed the article meant by migrant workers, they type that come for sort work stints and then move on - thus the migrant status. What I said had nothing to do with any moral stand on the issue and I (personally) don't think anyone is any better than anyone else based on anything.

FYI, many investors are working investors and thus need a work permit.

Now I remember why I take a few years at a time off of this forum. Instead of asking someone what they meant, some people jump to conclusions and immediately slam someone whom they don't really know anything about. Relax man, geez.

[jdg]

From memory - if you suffer from

1. Elephantitis

2. Alcoholism

3. Leprosy

4. TB

i'm sorry - could be wrong about the HIV.

+

5. syphilis

Correct I am just back from my medical check and those are the 5 but also incl. not being mentally ill and now these days they have to put also your blood type, the last one is the only change since last month.

absolutely there is no HIV on the list.

you are in and out in less then hour. and most of the time is just waiting.

JDG

[dotx]

From memory - if you suffer from

1. Elephantitis

2. Alcoholism

3. Leprosy

4. TB

i'm sorry - could be wrong about the HIV.

+

5. syphilis

Correct I am just back from my medical check and those are the 5 but also incl. not being mentally ill and now these days they have to put also your blood type, the last one is the only change since last month.

absolutely there is no HIV on the list.

you are in and out in less then hour. and most of the time is just waiting.

JDG

Why Elephantitis? That seems like an odd thing to put in the list.

[jdg]

From memory - if you suffer from

1. Elephantitis

2. Alcoholism

3. Leprosy

4. TB

i'm sorry - could be wrong about the HIV.

+

5. syphilis

Correct I am just back from my medical check and those are the 5 but also incl. not being mentally ill and now these days they have to put also your blood type, the last one is the only change since last month.

absolutely there is no HIV on the list.

you are in and out in less then hour. and most of the time is just waiting.

JDG

Why Elephantitis? That seems like an odd thing to put in the list.

Well the whole thing is a joke in my eyes, but who am I ??

the doctor asked me "how do you feel today" I said "great" ad that was 50% of the conversation we had

[Arkady]

There is no requirement for an HIV test for a WP or any type of visa. At one point the government was talking about an HIV test for any visa longer than 3 months but there was a backlash against that and it never happened. The BoI for a time required an HIV test to apply for PR through them, rather than through Immigration, but they were unable to get PR for any of their applicants anyway.

Why they started requiring syphilis tests is a complete mystery, although Immigration requires this for PR applications.