Health workers should not be forced to take the Covid-19 vaccine, says Nehawu
The National
Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) says they are dismayed
with the comment by the Department of Public Service and Administration's (DPSA) that it's considering to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all employees in the public service.
The DPSA released a statement on Wednesday, saying that discussions are ongoing to consider the introduction of mandatory vaccines.
The national union says although they have called on government to procure more vaccines and ramp up the rollout of the vaccination programme, they’re utterly shocked at the circular.
“Whilst we support the vaccination programme, our view is that it should not be forced down the throats of public servants. Discussing the compulsory vaccination in the public service shall not be accepted or tolerated by the national union,” says acting spokesperson for Nehawu, Lwazi Nkolonzi
“As Nehawu we will fight with all available avenues to us, we will even to a certain degree with needs be use available avenues such as contesting the issue at the Bargaining Council, such as contesting it in the court of law because that is a constitutional issue.”
Nkolonzi adds that the union will ensure that the rights of workers and citizens are protected.
“We can’t allow the DPSA to do what they want to do and force workers to vaccinate without getting their views on this issue. So we will fight definitely as Nehawu we will not leave this thing lying (down), we’ll take it up with the DPSA and ensure that the rights of workers and the rights of South Africans citizens are protected as per the constitution dictates” concludes Nkolonzi.
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