Business groups are proposing tighter restrictions for unvaccinated individuals to speed up the recovery of the economy.
The business groups said the state should allow companies to impose stricter requirements on unvaccinated employees and patrons, and to decline unvaccinated job applicants, in the interest of the health and safety of both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.
The groups said the government should consider doing the same with its employees.
This position was contained in a joint statement released yesterday by the Bankers Association of the Philippines, Cebu Business Club, (Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, GoNegosyo, Investment Houses Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education, Philippine Ecozones Association, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Retailers Association, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, US-Asean Business Council and WomenBizPH.
While the business groups said they respect one’s right to decide on vaccination, “we believe the state and the private sector should be able to restrict the activities of unvaccinated persons for the common good.”
The business groups’ stance will require a review of the Department of Labor and Employment Labor Advisory 03-21 Republic Act 11525, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement Act of 2021 which govern the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination policies of the government.
While calling on the government to further facilitate access to vaccines whether through government or private sector procurement consistent with Philippine government guidelines, the business groups also urged companies to encourage unvaccinated employees to get vaccinated, and do what they can to accommodate them , in a way that does not compromise their health and safety and that of other employees.
The business groups cited experts’ opinions that the unvaccinated are more likely to get seriously sick which would add to the strain on the healthcare system putting both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients at risk of not having access to medical treatment.
In addition, there is evidence that unvaccinated persons may be more dangerous carriers of the virus.
