Strength,
I believe it is the norm for most countries to perform these tests for foreign nationals and it is a debatable issue I guess as many people cannot differentate from HIV and AIDS...the USA (and I live there) is one of the worst...calling HIV AIDS! Still, I believe that countries have the right to ensure that no communicable disease is spread by bringing in infected foreign workers, be it HIV/ AIDS/TB or whatever...whatever way that they can be spread.
As far as screening every year, I know that EK used to do the same thing...I do not know if that is true now...company policy is what AAB will call it. Would be interesting to find out if there is a law regarding this in DOH? In other jobs you would be tested upon arrival and that would be that I guess.
I remember changing my sponsor in the UAE, but I did not need to be tested again.
Open to debate.
These are just my comments only and my opinions. The EK comment is fact and was during the period I worked there.
Cheers
HR