ILOILO City – It’s okay if the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) deems illegal the “no vaccination, no work” policy, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“We will just continue what we have been doing, our campaign for vaccination,” Treñas told Panay News.
Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday said it was “not legal for employers to require employees to be vaccinated before they can enter the workplace.”
Treñas earlier floated the mandatory vaccination of workers, saying it could help the city achieve “herd immunity.”
Following a backlash from the social media community and various labor groups, Treñas clarified he was just “putting the proposal on the table for discussion.”
COVID CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
The city government has an ongoing education and information campaign on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Many Ilonggos are still skeptical of getting the vaccine due to its possible side effects.
“We will immunize those willing to be protected. The rest will decide for themselves,” said Treñas.
Meanwhile, Bello warned companies that they could be held legally liable if they fire or suspend an employee who would refuse COVID-19 vaccination.
“It cannot be a ground for termination or sanctions against workers,” Bello said, describing it as discrimination.
He said the department will issue necessary orders formally addressing the matter./PN
