ILOILO City – There’s never a time to discriminate workers who have yet to receive their jabs against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 6.
“The ‘no vaccine, no work’ policy shall not be allowed,” pressed DOLE-6 assistant director Jesus Elpidio Atal Jr. in reaction to reports that employees could not enter workplaces – even receive cash aid from the government – if they were unvaccinated.
Atal reiterated DOLE’s Advisory No. 3, Series of 2021, or the guidelines on the administration of COVID-19 vaccine in workplaces, particularly in the private sector.
Any employee who refuses to be vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in terms of tenure, promotion, training, and other benefits, among others, or terminated from employment.
Establishments that would implement the “no vaccination, no work” may face sanction, Atal said.
“We will be asking them to return the workers to work, or pay the salaries of those who were asked not to work because they weren’t vaccinated,” he said.
But Atal clarified that DOLE encourages workers to avail themselves of anti-coronavirus jabs whenever they have the chance.
He also reminded employers, in case they procure COVID vaccines, to coordinate with local government units to make sure the vaccines are secured, among other logistical requirements./PN
