DOLE Speaks on Alleged Practice Requiring Employees of COVID-19 Vaccine
DOLE – The Department of Labor and Employment reacted to the “No COVID-19 vaccine, no salary pay” practice amid allegations about it.
The Philippines is still in the midst of a battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, amid the battle, several variants of the virus have entered the country. One of these is the Delta variant that’s considered a factor in the spike in the coronavirus cases.
Like several other countries abroad, the Philippines is in the pursuit to achieve population protection from the virus. The national government continues to place the entire nation under community quarantine measures. To achieve herd immunity, at least 70% of the population has to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
Different vaccine brands arrived in the Philippines including Sinovac, Pfizer, Sinopharm, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Sputnik V. Some were procured by the government while others were donated by other countries.
However, truth be told that many Filipinos have yet to be vaccinated. Some are still waiting for their schedule while others are hesitant to get the jab. Recently, there were allegations that some companies are implementing the “no vaccine, no salary pay” policy. To this, DOLE reacted.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III stressed that the “no vaccine, no salary pay” practice is not in accordance with the law. According to him, under the law, it is stated that the salary of the employees cannot be put on hold unless there is a legal basis or legal cause.
Bello further stressed that there is no law that prevents unvaccinated employees from going to work. According to the report, the Labor Chief further expressed the “freedom of choice” in a democratic country stressing that no one can force a person to get vaccinated.
With regards to the allegations that some companies have the said practice, Bello confirmed that he received reports but his office has yet to receive formal complaints. According to him, if ever there would be a complaint, the immediate response would be an investigation and if it is proven true, a compliance order would be issued to the employer.
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