MOROBE governor Ginson Saonu is urging companies in Lae to be flexible on Covid-19 vaccinations on their staff.
“There is no mandatory vaccination for workers in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Governor Saonu who is also the Pangu Pati deputy leader is concerned of the recent reports of workers in certain companies threatening to lay off staff who have not received Covid-19 vaccination.
He urged companies to adhere to the laws of the country and that is there are no mandatory vaccinations for any employee of a company.
“People have the freedom to get vaccinated or not. That is the choice, however companies can enforce strict Covid-19 protocols as per the advice by the National Health Department and World Health Organisation,” Saonu said.
He said companies should not resort to sacking or terminating people for not taking vaccination because this will have greater impact of job loss to the families of the workers, loss in production of company operations and a direct impact on the economy of the country.
“My government in Morobe province will not tolerate the mistreatment of the people who are contributing to the economy and have families that depend on them.”
The governor said Morobe Provincial Government Authorities will be keeping an eye out for reports of such nature onwards and will take action where possible.
“I further call upon the Controller David Manning to look into this matter and resolve it.”
