The Department of Labor and Employment said as it issued guidelines on the administration of vaccines in the workplace that no worker shall be charged for their inoculation against COVID-19 or be discriminated against if they refuse to receive the vaccine.
Guidelines for the private sector seeking to vaccinate their employees against COVID-19 are set by DOLE Labor Advisory No. 3 Series of 2021.
Based on the guidelines signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, companies may acquire COVID-19 vaccines, supplies, and other services.
Firms may also “seek the support of the appropriate government agencies in the procurement, storage, transport, deployment, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.”
Vaccinations should not be paid for by the employees.
“No cost of vaccination in the workplace shall be charged against or passed on, directly or indirectly to the employees,” the advisory provided.
Workplaces are also required to encourage employee vaccination.
The DOLE also stressed that there should be no discrimination against an employee who refuses or fails to get vaccinated.
“Any employee who refuses or fails to be vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in the terms of tenure, promotion, training, pay, and other benefits, among others, or terminated from employment,” DOLE said.
