The Government’s policy on COVID19 vaccination still remains as voluntary and not to be forced on individuals.
Prime Minister James Marape reaffirmed this in Parliament today in light of the recent incidences in Lae where employers of several business houses protested against their respective companies ‘policy on the termination of employees who refused to be vaccinated.
Mr Marape says by far no industrial dispute was made to the Labour Department regarding this issue hence the government has not made any response to the complaints raised.
However, he says with the issues in Lae, he has dispatched a team from the COVID19 National Control Centre led by the Controller David Manning to Lae today to investigate these issues and submit a report to the government.
“The investigation is to find out if those companies have adhered to the government’s New Normal COVID 19 practises or not before resorting to the ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy as reported,” Mr Marape said.
“The report will help us to find a balance between the safety of the workplace, the operation of the workplace and to ensure that the rights of the employees are protected.”
He further acknowledged the protests by the employees as well as the University of Technology students in advocating on the plight of ordinary citizens at this time.