Major business groups in the country believe there is a need to restrict the activities of unvaccinated persons for the common good.
“We do believe that the state and the private sector should be able to restrict the activities of unvaccinated persons for the common good,” said the 12 big business groups in a joint statement.
The groups said they are one with the government's view that COVID-19 vaccination policies should be more robust in order to save more Filipinos from serious sickness and death and help the economy and jobs to recover.
The groups noted that most experts believe 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, they said, there is evidence that unvaccinated persons may be more dangerous carriers of the virus.
“We believe the state should help companies reopen safely to protect and create jobs by allowing them 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. Further, we believe the government should consider doing the same with its employees,” they statement added.
The groups, however, added that this move will require a review of DOLE Labor Advisory 03-21 and RA 11525, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement Act of 2021 (Sec 12-G).
“We encourage companies to exert every effort to provide opportunities for unvaccinated employees to get vaccinated, and do what they can to accommodate them (and others who cannot be vaccinated for valid medical reasons) in the interim, in a way that does not compromise their health and safety and that of other employees.”
“We urge the government to further facilitate access to vaccines, whether through government or private sector procurement consistent with Philippine Government guidelines.”
The joint statement was signed by the Bankers Association of the
Philippines (BAP), Cebu Business Club (CBC), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), GoNegosyo, Investment Houses Association of the Philippines (IHAP) Makati Business Club (MBC), Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Philippine Ecozones Association (PHILEA), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), and WomenBizPH.