Dapat voluntary! Labor group cries foul over ‘no vaccination, no work’ policy

By Billy Begas

The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) on Tuesday urged the government to outlaw the emerging mandatory ‘no vaccination, no work’ workplace policy being imposed by some employers and business owners on their employees.

ALU said it has been receiving complaints from its members who were told by their superiors in advance that they would be disallowed to report to work unless they participate in company-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination program.

Those who will not get vaccinated will be deemed unfit to work, said ALU.

Another group of employees told ALU that they would be asked to present certification as proof that they have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine before they are allowed to work.

ALU said some employers also forewarned their employees with reassignment and relocation to other branches if they would not participate in the company-sponsored immunization program. Others would be put on furlough or floating status until they are injected with the vaccine.

ALU national executive vice president Gerard Seno said the mandatory workplace policy is a form of coercion and discrimination, which violates the right of workers to freely decide and chose for themselves particularly with regards to their health and well-being.

“The ALU is advocating for the vaccination of all workers and pushing for the prioritization of essential workers to be inoculated with safe and effective vaccines to safely reopen our economy but these arbitrary actions taken by abusive employers are audacious acts of direct discrimination and straightforward coercion,” said Seno.

Seno said employees must never be subjected to any compulsion and the employers can only try to persuade its employees with the benefits and advantages of being vaccinated.

Before it becomes a norm, Seno said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must respond quickly and provide protection measure by outlawing these unfair and unjust treatments of employees.