ILOILO City – Around 80 percent of employees in various establishments in this southern city were already vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to COVID Team spokesperson Jeck Conlu.
Though Conlu clarified that employers could not impose the “no vaccination, no work” policy “as there is no official order for such,” vaccination among employees is highly recommended.
“Maka apekto ina sa imo capacity as establishment nga maka-operate sa syudad,” said Conlu.
Mayor Jerry Treñas’ EO No. 137 allows 50 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 70 percent outdoor capacity for venues with voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters, among others.
As to food establishments, those with 100 percent fully vaccinated personnel and with Safety Seal Certification are allowed 80 percent and 100 percent for indoor and al fresco, respectively.
Those with Safety Seal only are allowed 50 percent capacity for indoor and 75 percent of al fresco.
Food establishments with 100 percent fully vaccinated personnel but without Safety Seal Certification are allowed 30 percent for indoor and 50 percent for al fresco while those with no safety seal and personnel that are not fully vaccinated are only allowed 20 percent capacity for indoor and 50 percent for al fresco.
Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Iloilo, said they are not imposing mandatory vaccination among their employees.
However, he said, “We strongly encourage and enjoin our employees and the general public to get vaccinated for our collective safety and protection against COVID-19.”
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 6 urged employers to encourage employees to get vaccinated.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued resolutions No. 148 and 149 dated Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, respectively, directing all establishments and employers to require their employees who must report in person to be inoculated beginning today (Dec. 1).
“It is merely to encourage employers in private establishments to let their employees get vaccinated,” said Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., officer-in-charge director of DOLE-6.
According to Rodriguez, while there is no law mandating the “no vaccination, no work” or “no jab, no pay” policies, “employers are not allowed to discriminate employees for no vaccination.”
IATF-MEID said all unvaccinated workers must undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing “regularly or at least once every two weeks” to be able to work on-site.
Rodriguez clarified it would be “part of the management’s prerogative to set and lay down policies.”/PN