Bengaluru: A woman employed on an outsourcing basis by a state government department was recently reinstated after being sent home with three months’ salary following her husband’s AIDS diagnosis. The Karnataka Government’s decision came after intervention by the HIV/AIDS ombudsman.
The woman had served as housekeeping staff for three years, earning ₹7,500 per month, and lived with her husband and two children in a rented home. When her husband tested positive for AIDS two years ago, she informed her colleagues, leading to her being placed on compulsory leave with pay.
Despite numerous appeals, her request for reemployment was initially denied. However, with the help of HIV/AIDS Ombudsman Sivakumar Veeraiah, the government agency was directed to reinstate her in her previous role. She has now returned to work and resumed her salary payments for the past two months.