Diaspora,Tax Laws and AIDS
At a wedding today of one of our students, celebrated by the bishop a massive affair. But as is normal, though I never like to assume, it started an hour late!
Later talking to our secretary, Zainab, got a new perspective on how UK laws impact out here. It is not widely known that one of the chief income streams for Uganda is the money sent back by the diaspora all over the world. Zainab had an aunt who, like so many died of AIDS some years ago leaving a number of children who Zainab now looks after.
Until recently another aunt living in UK who works in and old folks centre used to send back enough money to keep all these children in school. However the law in the UK now encourages employers to employ, largely women, on contracts of under 20 hrs per week as it saves having to deal with tax and pay various employment dues. It also improves employment statistics as these half time workers count as part of the workforce.
Nasty.
The aunt has been moved from full time to this effective half time and so no longer has money to send to look after her orphaned nephews and nieces. One of these is a 13 year old who was born before the 'prevention of mother to child transmission' scheme and is HIV positive, Currently on Anti Retro Virals, [ARVs] she is doing OK but what does the future hold for her and so many like her?
Because of the stigma still attaching her elder brothers refuse to be tested....... Every time I hear this sort of thing which is so common I find it really upsetting. Pray that AIDS never gets established in your own country where ever that might be.
Later talking to our secretary, Zainab, got a new perspective on how UK laws impact out here. It is not widely known that one of the chief income streams for Uganda is the money sent back by the diaspora all over the world. Zainab had an aunt who, like so many died of AIDS some years ago leaving a number of children who Zainab now looks after.
Until recently another aunt living in UK who works in and old folks centre used to send back enough money to keep all these children in school. However the law in the UK now encourages employers to employ, largely women, on contracts of under 20 hrs per week as it saves having to deal with tax and pay various employment dues. It also improves employment statistics as these half time workers count as part of the workforce.
Nasty.
The aunt has been moved from full time to this effective half time and so no longer has money to send to look after her orphaned nephews and nieces. One of these is a 13 year old who was born before the 'prevention of mother to child transmission' scheme and is HIV positive, Currently on Anti Retro Virals, [ARVs] she is doing OK but what does the future hold for her and so many like her?
Because of the stigma still attaching her elder brothers refuse to be tested....... Every time I hear this sort of thing which is so common I find it really upsetting. Pray that AIDS never gets established in your own country where ever that might be.
posted by Patrick & Kathie at 11:59 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home