‘No vaccine, no work’ policy is illegal – DOLE

Imposing a mandatory vaccine requirement for workers is considered illegal, according to the labor department.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reiterated on Wednesday that those implementing the “no vaccination, no work” policy particularly the employers will face serious charges.

Sec. Bello stressed requiring workers to get vaccinated before allowing them to work is deemed illegal as there is no legal basis for the said policy.

“It is not legal for employers to require the employee to be vaccinated before they can enter the workplace. There’s no legal basis for that,” Bello said.

In a published news report of Rappler, Bello made the statement following the warning of labor unions against a possible emerging policy among private firms requiring mandatory vaccination in the workplaces.

“That cannot be made mandatory. It’s up to the employee if they want to get vaccinated or not. That will be discrimination,” the labor secretary added.

Bello said that he is set to issue an order prohibiting the “no vaccination, no work” policy in workplaces.

Mayor Jerry Treñas recently expressed his intent to issue an executive order (EO) only allowing persons who underwent full Covid-19 vaccination to work in the city. The plan however received mixed reactions from the Ilonggos who deemed it a violation of human rights.

The mayor has then clarified that the policy is still being put in the table for discussion and later on reiterated that vaccination in Iloilo City will be voluntary.

“I want to clarify nga we are talking about this for discussion purposes. Waay kita nagabutang sini para piliton ta na ang tawo nga magdesisyon [nga magpabakuna]. This is not to compel anyone to be vaccinated just because they do not agree. Wala kita naghambal sini nga ginapilit ta nga ‘kay ti indi kamo kaobra pabakuna na lang kamo,” the mayor said. (ERS)