DOH on ‘No Vaccine, No Work’: The Department of Health urges employers to rethink the ‘no vaccination, no work’ policy due to vaccine shortage. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire aired her thoughts in an interview on ‘Unang Balita’.
“Kung marami po ang bakuna, siguro po ‘yan ang magiging ideal na patakaran. Pero sa ngayon po hindi pa po natin alam kung sino ang puwede magpabakuna dahil sa kakulangan ng supply,” states Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Read more: DOH urges employers to rethink ‘no vaccine, no work’ policy amid supply shortage, an article by GMA News Online
“Dapat po siguro pag-isipan po ‘yan ng mga may-ari ng kumpanya dahil ito po ay magiging inequitable at maaaring ito ay magkaroon ng epekto lalong lalo na doon sa mga mahihirap natin na workers,” she adds.
The Department of Labor and Employment also aired their sentiments regarding the ‘no vaccination, no work’ policy of some employers and urged that the said policy is illegal.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, who authored the anti-discriminatory provision in Republic Act 11525, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, says that COVID-19 vaccination cards, mandated by the enacted law, should not be a mandatory prerequisite for education, employment, or similar government transactions and should not be a cause of discrimination.
Section 12 of RA 11525 states that vaccine cards “shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for education, employment and other similar government transaction purposes.” The provision safeguards students, regular employees, OFWs, and others from discrimination. Read more: Vaccine in Iloilo City (Live Updates)
“Hence, inoculation should not be a determinant whether a person is fit or unfit for work. Neither should it be made a prerequisite for acceptance in any educational institutions nor in the availment of government services,” says Sen. Francis Tolentino.
