Mandatory jabs for economic frontliners pushed
PRESIDENTIAL adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion is urging the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to make vaccinations mandatory for specific workers.
In his letter to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Concepcion explained that the mandatory vaccination of specific workers is intended to complement the government’s initiatives in saving lives and safely reviving the economy, especially the sectors that have been badly hit by the pandemic.
“We must protect the unvaccinated and protect all workers and jobs at all costs. If we require fully vaccinated customers in our businesses, the more reason we need to require labor-intensive workers and economic frontliners to be fully vaccinated too,” Concepcion stressed.
Concepcion is proposing mandatory vaccinations for those who interact directly with customers who are collectively called as economic frontliners (such as those who work in hospitality, tourism, restaurants, retail, and personal care services), those who engage in labor-intensive work (construction, automotive, wearables and manufacturing, electronic semiconductors and BPOs).
Upon receiving the letter, Secretary Bello for his part thanked the Go Negosyo founder for initiating this call adding “We will study your suggestion” in his response.
Concepcion warned that although there has been a break in COVID-19 cases, another surge may yet happen, “therefore, it is important to maximize our resources and provide everyone the opportunity and access to get vaccinated.”
“Why should we let the unvaccinated put at risk everything we have worked hard for? There are vaccinated people who wish to resume their normal activities and they have done their part. We should protect them and not let the sacrifices go to waste by backsliding into another surge.
“I also want to thank Secretary Bello for being one with the private sector and supporting the industries’ continuous fight to ensure their businesses, employees and customers are protected,” Concepcion added.
