DOLE: Firms with 'no COVID-19 vaccine, no work' policy liable for illegal termination, suspension

The Labor department said Thursday that employers who will sanction their personnel over lack of COVID-19 vaccine will be liable for illegal suspension or illegal termination of an employee.

“Ipinagbabawal natin ang kung anumang porma ng diskriminasyon. At 'yung mga naririnig natin na "no vaccine, no work" policy, hindi po natin ito nire-recognize at ito po ay bawal,” Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said during Laging Handa briefing.

“Kapag siya naman po ay sinuspinde o kaya tinanggal, maaari po siyang magsampa ng kaukulang reklamo. That would be illegal termination or illegal suspension,” he added.

Likewise, the DOLE official assured the public that they have already issued an advisory stating that COVID-19 vaccines for employees are free.

In addition, Benavidez said employers have the responsibility to promote vaccine confidence among their employees to help the country reach herd immunity against COVID-19.

There are at least 11.6 million fully vaccinated Filipinos against COVID-19 so far.

The government is eyeing to fully vaccinated 76.3 million people or 70% of the population by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.—AOL, GMA News