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Independent Media reports that following reports that some employers were threatening to dismiss staff who chose not to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, acting Health Minister Mamoloko Kubayi has advised that no person should be forced to take the vaccine.
Kubayi, who was updating the media on Friday on the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out plan, said: “We all have freedom of choice. Vaccine is voluntary, whether you take the vaccine or not, please, we urge you not to infringe on the rights of others. No one can force you to take the vaccine, not even your employer.” Earlier last week, the SA Human Rights Commission called on people to come forward if they had been threatened with losing their jobs or rented accommodation for refusing to have a Covid-19 vaccine. Gauteng commission head Buang Jones said the SAHRC had received complaints from people who had been told they would be dismissed from their job or evicted from their residences if they did not take the vaccine. “We are exploring all available legal options and would like to see how best we can address the situation with affected employees and the implicated employers,” said Jones. The Department of Employment and Labour has also set out guidelines that serve as a directive in order for employers to make it compulsory that staff get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated remains voluntary, but if an employer does a risk assessment at the office, staff could be forced to get the jab.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rudolph Nkgadima at Independent Media
- Read too, SAHRC’s approach to vaccinations is misguided, says Zackie Achmat, at The Citizen (paywall access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page