LICO Empowers CHICO Construction Workers with Awareness On HIV and Sexual Exploitation

Chinyolo camp training session

Road construction sites can be high-risk environments, not only due to the physical hazards of the work but also because many workers spend long periods away from their families and communities. In such contexts, there is an increased vulnerability to risky behaviours, HIV and AIDS, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and violations of child protection standards. These risks threaten not only the well-being of individual workers but also the integrity of the workplace and the communities surrounding construction projects.

Recognizing these challenges, LICO has taken proactive steps to promote workplace safety, accountability, and ethical conduct among workers at CHICO Construction Company. The initiative, implemented along the EU-funded M1 Road Rehabilitation Project from Kacheche to Chiweta in Rumphi District, provides structured awareness sessions that focus on HIV prevention, SEA, and child protection.

To date, over 50% of the targeted 700 workers have participated in the training, with LICO on track to reach all CHICO personnel across multiple construction sites. The initiative, sub-granted by CHICO Construction Company and supported by the European Investment Bank, is part of a broader effort to ensure that infrastructure development is conducted responsibly, safeguarding both workers and communities.

LICO’s sessions offer workers a critical platform to understand their responsibilities and rights, while emphasizing the importance of dignity, respect, and ethical behavior in the workplace. For many workers, these trainings have been an eye-opening experience, leading to improved awareness and more proactive engagement. Participants have reported a better understanding of how their actions can impact themselves, colleagues, and the wider community, demonstrating early signs of a shift toward a safer and more accountable work culture.

The impact of this intervention extends beyond individual knowledge. By embedding safety, respect, and accountability into daily workplace practices, LICO is helping to cultivate a culture of responsibility that benefits everyone on the project, from management to laborers, and contributes to safer, more ethical infrastructure development along the M1 corridor.

LICO remains committed to completing the training for all 700 targeted workers, ensuring that every employee is equipped with the knowledge and skills to prevent HIV, SEA, and child protection violations. Through this ongoing effort, LICO is not only safeguarding workers but also reinforcing the broader goal of ethical, community-sensitive development, demonstrating that infrastructure projects can advance human dignity and safety alongside economic progress.