newsThe Citizen reports that after bloodshed, tears and unfair dismissals, big companies are scrapping mandatory vaccine policies, as infections seemed to have stabilised.

Eugene Ebersohn of finance sector trade union Sasbo said they were aware that both Old Mutual and Santam had recalled their mandatory vaccination policies. He commented: “We have always believed in the vaccine and the science behind it. We also believe each person should have the right to decide if they want to get vaccinated against Covid.” Ebersohn noted that Standard Bank had expected all their employees to be fully vaccinated to enter their premises and the result was that around 40 employees were dismissed who were not vaccinated. He reported that the bank informed the trade union on Monday that it would no longer require its employees to be vaccinated. “The elephant in the room remains those employees who were dismissed for not being vaccinated. The union has written to the bank’s CEO, demanding those employees be reinstated without delay,” Ebersohn said. Standard Bank SA chief executive Lungisa Fuzile confirmed that the bank withdrew its Covid vaccination policy after 95% of its employees were vaccinated. Fuzile did not respond as to when or if fired employees would return to work.


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