AFTER issuing a stern warning to employers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday, March 6, 2021, urged employees to report their employers who implement a no vaccine, no work policy.
In a televised public briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said they have not received complaints as of Saturday.
"They can report to any of our offices or through our hotline. This is a very illegal policy. That is not allowed," said Bello.
"So far, our office has not received any formal complaint from any labor group, any employee saying they are not allowed to go to work because they are not vaccinated," he added.
Aside from being illegal, such a policy is illogical as vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are limited.
"How can you force the workers when we only have a few vaccines in the country?" pointed Bello.
"But if they insist on that, we will issue a compliance order stating that employees not allowed to go to work because of that will still be considered present and, therefore, should be paid," he said.
The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) earlier sounded the alarm over the supposed no vaccination, no work policy in several workplaces.
ALU claimed that some workers were told by their superiors in advance that they would not be allowed to report for work unless they participate in company-sponsored Covid-19 vaccination activities.
Bello said he will issue a department order prohibiting such practice. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)