THE PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) is calling for employers and companies to provide medical insurance to their workers if they are subtly forcing COVID vaccination on them.
The PNGTUC claims a number of cases have been registered with the union of employers forcing employees to get the COVID vaccination jab or ‘they won’t have a job or pay’.
Assistant General Secretary Anton Sekum made the remarks in a statement in response to the Prime Minister Marape’s Statement of 17th of August and supported by the Employer’s Federation of PNG (EFPNG) in their circular of 20th August that employers have the right to make the workplace safe for their employees. And that, the individuals’ human rights which must be exercised within the context of rights of others around them.
“It is interesting to note that the EFPNG is circulating amongst its members (employers) a policy template each of voluntary and mandatory vaccination,” Mr Sekum said.
“We have no idea what the numbers are in those two policy templates at this stage. It seems the employers and the government are concerned about the safety of the workers at the workplace (transmission) or rather workplace safety,” Mr Sekum pointed out.
“As for the trade unions, our concern is the safety of the vaccines on humans, because there are doubts raised by many relating to the safety of the vaccine. Perhaps that also explains the growing reluctance to get jabbed by many.
“From the number of cases registered with the PNGTUC, most employers are subtly and directly forcing their employees top get jabbed or they do not get a job or pay. This does not sound like employees have a choice at all.
“With the PM’s caution for individuals to exercise their qualified rights within the context of the rights of others, is a responsible statement to make but the reality is, it will not stop employers to force the jab on their employees.
“The most responsible thing the State can do is to make it mandatory for jabbed workers to be insured against the side effects.
“Employers must insure their workers if vaccination is to be subtly or directly mandatory.
“Insurance will motivate workers to get vaccinated but most importantly, medical insurance can cover any post jab side effects from vaccination, be it life threatening or not,” Mr Sekum said.
He said the union was also concerned on “Workers Compensation” because in the current form it is not clear whether Workers Compensation accommodates workers to be compensated for conditions suffered from vaccination.
Mr Sekum said all trade unions will be asked to make a stand on union cover to ensure that workers post jab is protected.
