The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) made it clear that vaccination should not be made mandatory for workers following a reported “no vaccine, no work” policy of several establishments.
“Magpapalabas tayo ng department order na kung saan hindi pwedeng gawing mandatory ‘yan… Nasa empleyado ‘yan kung gusto nyang magpabakuna o hindi. (We will issue a department order stating that it is not mandatory… It’s up to the employees whether they want to be inoculated or not),” DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello clarified.
The DOLE stated it will impose administrative penalties to employers and establishments implementing the said policy.
The Associated Labor Unions- Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) revealed it received reports from employees of some business establishments requiring their vaccination before appearing for work.
“Kung hindi sila pumayag na magpabakuna sila ay ilalagay sa furlough o floating status yung iba naman ay irere-assign (If they do not agree to be vaccinated, they will be placed on furlough, floating status, or reassigned),” ALU-TUCP Spokesperson Alan Tanjusay disclosed.
“Ito po ay isang uri ng pang-aabuso… at hindi pagrespeto sa free will at free choice ng nga manggagawa lalong-lalo na ‘yung hindi pa handa na magpabakuna (This is a form of abuse and disrespect to the free will and choice of workers, especially those not yet ready to get vaccinated),” Tanjusay pointed out.
The DOLE explained that firing an employee for not getting the vaccine is considered illegal suspension or illegal dismissal. The department order allowing workers to choose the kind of vaccine and date of vaccination is expected to be issued on Friday. – Report from Louisa Erispe
