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The Star reports that labour federation Cosatu has issued a stern warning to employers who were allegedly victimising workers who did not want to take the Covid-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons.
This came after reports of workers expressing fears of being victimised or losing their jobs should they refuse to get vaccinated. Cosatu’s labour market co-ordinator, Lebogang Mulaisi, said that, according to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, employers were obligated to provide a healthy and safe place for workers. She said no employee should be dismissed over a refusal to vaccinate. “Ideally what should happen is that workers should be consulted, they should be given guidance and counselling, and the benefits of taking the vaccine, and if the worker feels that they do not want (it), they cannot be prejudiced,” Mulaisi indicated. The OHS directive compels employers to respect the constitutional rights of workers and workers have rights to religious beliefs and bodily integrity. In addition, an employer has the obligation to take into consideration medical reasons why the employees would not want to take the vaccine. Mulaisi appealed to employers to work with staff to find a solution: “This means looking for ways where the worker can work remotely or maybe looking for ways where the employer can place the worker where they are not in a congregate setting.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star
- Read too, SAHRC wants employees threatened with dismissal or eviction for refusing Covid-19 jab to come forward, at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page