Labour ministry dragged into mandatory vaccine debacle

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEKThe labour ministry has received four complaints emanating from mandatory Covid-19 vaccine policies in the workplace and has urged employers that the government’s position on Covid-19 vaccination remains voluntary.In a press statement this week, the ministry’s acting executive director Lydia Indombo said instead of forcing people to take the vaccine, employers should spend that time educating workers and raising awareness so that they eventually make the decision to be vaccinated voluntary.One of the cases was withdrawn, while another was resolved through conciliation, with the complainants having been reinstated. Arbitration proceedings are ongoing for eight other cases, the ministry said.It added that it is currently drafting guidelines that deal with mandatory Covid-19 regulations in line with the Labour Act, and encouraged employers to take matters relating to unfair dismissal, collective termination and unfair labour practices into account.“[This] …to ensure adherence to the labour and employment laws and the norms of social dialogue and fairness in approaching the issue of mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations at the workplace,” Indombo said.Get vaxxed, or stay homeCompanies are increasingly looking at forcing their workers to take the jab, with some, such as the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), being dragged to court for this decision.Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga has recently directed that workers who prefer not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 may be required to work from home to avoid physical interaction with fellow staff members, to decrease the chance of infection.The ministry of defence has also recently come under fire for introducing mandatory Covid-19 vaccination in the army, while some exceptions will be made on medical grounds.

Labour ministry dragged into mandatory vaccine debacle

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-10-08

Please login to leave a comment

Labour ministry dragged into mandatory vaccine debacle

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-10-08

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content