MTUC against sacking of workers who refuse vaccination

 

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has spoken against employers who take disciplinary action against staff who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

In a statement today, MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said vaccination was not compulsory as it was not mandated by law.

"Because the government did not make vaccination compulsory for the people, therefore, employers cannot use vaccination as an excuse to sack an employee," he said.

Kamarul said the government must take heed of this development and design a set of guidelines for employers who are handling staff who refuse vaccines.

"Do not allow this matter to be regulated by the workers and employers without guidance," he said.

Although vaccination was not compulsory on individuals, the government's Covid-19 protocols have imposed vaccination thresholds for companies that wish to reopen during the National Recovery Plan period.

For instance, any food and beverage outlets will have to ensure 80 percent of their staff are fully vaccinated before allowing dine-in customers.

The government has also imposed rules limiting dine-in customers to those who are fully vaccinated.

Currently, vaccination rates vary across the country. [See table below]

Separately, Kamarul urged the government to allow trade unions to work from their offices again.

He said MTUC has written to the National Security Council on this matter but has not received a reply.

"The government should be encouraging unions to play their role - advising our members to be vaccinated," he said.

- Mkini