EMPLOYEE DISCRIMINATION? NO VACCINE NO PAY CALLOUT

Editorial Cartooning | Reynald Ram Ablir

by PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA | Editorial Correspondent

Yet another arising problem the pandemic brought to the masses, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines have made public of the illegal “No vaccine no pay” action of many employers that have been reportedly withholding salaries of employees who haven’t taken any COVID 19 vaccine. Are employers really in the right?

It’s been a good while since vaccines have been distributed here in the Philippines ranging from Pfizer to Moderna it’s no surprise that the public eye immediately took action in implementing new guidelines with consideration to the Vaccines, the work industry being one of them.

The industry field is one of the many aspects that have been greatly damaged by the pandemic, so hearing of this vaccine prompted businesses to slowly but surely work their way back up from the sudden market crash the pandemic caused. An idle regulation made among these, however, was the “No Vaccine No Pay” wherein employers refuse to pay unvaccinated employees their salary, the instance was eventually made known by the TUCP which led to statements being made by the Department of Labor and Employment regarding this farce.

“Labag sa batas nga 'yan. You cannot withhold the salary of an employee or a worker without legal basis. Eh yung hindi pagbabakuna, hindi legal basis ‘yun. Kaya bawal na bawal yang ganyang policy na no vax, no pay.” Sec. Silvestre Bello III stated. With willingness to aid the concernees, DOLE has assured of it’s public assistance.

“Please come to us kung hindi niyo, kung ayaw niyo magpakilala just tell us who the employers are and we will be willing to immediately cause an inspection to the business establishment to find out whether indeed the salaries of the workers are being withheld, by reason of the fact that they have not been vaccinated. And we assure you that we will take immediate legal action”.

Even to the common eye, this regulation has room for doubt, in an end justifies the means mentality. The goal of these employers may have been positive if, given the benefit of the doubt, but are the drastic actions taken truly justifiable? To the majority and the secretary of DOLE, it is by no means probable and must be corrected in proper order, for the right and justice of the employees.