BY ALEX DADAMU
BY 31st October 2021, any employee of the national and provincial governments and State-Owned Enterprises that still chooses to not be vaccinated shall have a 50% cut in salaries, according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
He added that they will not be allowed to go to their workplaces and by 31st January 2022, any employee that still chooses not to be vaccinated, will no longer be employed by the national, provincial governments, and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, speaking during his fortnightly nationwide address today said about 82 percent of all employees of government have taken their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and the Ministry of Public Service is still compiling the data of all public servants that had taken at least their first dose of vaccination by 31st August.
“Of the remaining 18 percent that had not taken their COVID-19 vaccination, the reasons given for not taking the vaccine are as follows:
“1. No access to vaccines, 2. Lack of awareness about the vaccination program, 3. Pregnancy, 4. Pre-existing health conditions, 5. Religious conviction/beliefs, and 6. Their human and constitutional right not to be vaccinated.”
Prime Minister Sogavare said the cabinet has also directed the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Oversight Committee (OSC) to implement more comprehensive advocacy and awareness programs to address the stated reasons why people are not taking their vaccination.
He further added that the cabinet also directed the Ministry of Public Service to expedite the formalization of the employment policies requiring ‘proof of vaccination’ as a condition of employment and to liaise with the Commissioner of Labour to ensure alignment on employment policies relating to COVID-19 and other pandemics.
“The underpinning purpose of my government’s decision to implement mandatory vaccination for employees of government and its SOEs is to help us get to the 90% threshold quicker so that we can reopen our borders earlier.
“All eligible people are urged to get their COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones. And as the country is planning to re-open its borders, the government wants to reach at least 90 percent vaccination rate of the target population,” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare urged.
