Rizal 2nd District Representative Fidel Nograles called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to investigate employers that impose a “no vaccine, no salary” scheme on Tuesday, October 19.
According to Nograles, the said scheme unfairly penalizes workers who have no easy access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“Sa panahon ngayon na napakaraming naghihirap, lalong magdurusa ang mga arawan ang sahod sa ganitong sistema. I urge the Department of Labor and Employment to investigate this matter thoroughly and immediately put a stop to such an insensitive and illegal scheme,” Nograles said.
It was recently revealed by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines that some companies reportedly refused to pay unvaccinated employees their salaries until they are able to show vaccination cards that prove they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Nograles said that daily wage workers living outside Metro Manila would be most affected by this policy due to the incomplete distribution of vaccines outside of the National Capital Region (NCR).
He also urged the national government to speed up the vaccination of “commuter towns” around Metro Manila, which include Montalban, San Mateo, Antipolo, Cainta and Taytay in Rizal; Obando, Meycauayan, Marilao and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan; Bacoor, Dasmariñas in Cavite; and San Pedro in Laguna.
“Huwag naman po sana natin parusahan ang mga manggagawa para sa mga bagay na wala naman silang kontrol. Ngayon, para sa mga kaso na may bakuna ngunit ayaw magpabakuna, mas mainam po na idaan na lang natin sa maayos na usapan at hikayatin sila kaysa parusahan,” Nograles said.
Meanwhile, DOLE Labor Advisory No. 03-21 also expressly prohibits compelled vaccination while the call for mandatory vaccination remains pending and is still being discussed.
“Hanggang walang batas na nagtatakda, malinaw na ilegal at discriminatory ang ganitong polisiya,” Nograles said.
“Covered establishments and employers shall endeavor to encourage their employees to get vaccinated. However, any employee who refuses or fails to be vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in terms of tenure, promotion, training, pay, and other benefits, among others, or terminated from employment. No vaccine, no work policy shall not be allowed,” the advisory stated.
Photo credit: Facebook/FidelNograles
