DOLE chief says “no vaccine, no work” illegal

This article published by the CNN last March 6, 2021, reports on a recent statement released by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in response to reports that some employers are implementing a “no vaccine, no work” policy. According to Bello, “no worker should be forced to be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to returning to work…a policy requiring such is illegal”.

Editor’s Note: This statement is a welcome relief as it puts in place a clear guideline for employers, and a way for employees who refuse to be vaccinated to fight for their own rights. As employees cannot be forcibly vaccinated, we hope that this will also end the talk about vaccination passports in the Philippines [some local organizations have been pushing for this initiative, see Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration backs proposal for COVID-19 passport].