SEVERAL business groups have reached a consensus that the unvaccinated population’s activities should be limited “for the common good,” urging the companies and government to further the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.
In a joint statement on Monday, the private sector organizations stressed the need for safe reopening of the economy in a bid to recover amid the pandemic.
“While we also steadfastly believe that everyone has the right to decide on vaccination, we do believe that the state and the private sector should be able to restrict the activities of unvaccinated persons for the common good,” they said.
The groups said, citing experts, that unvaccinated are more likely to get infected by Covid-19, which would hurt the health-care system.
In addition, the private sector representatives 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,” the statement read.
They suggested that the government do the same with their employees.
As such, the business groups said this will require a review on the guidelines for vaccination in the workplace.
“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,” they said.
They also urged the government to continue procuring Covid-19 vaccines to further roll out the inoculation program.
The statement was signed by the Bankers Association of the Philippines, Cebu Business Club, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, GoNegosyo, Investment House Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club and Philippine Business for Education.
Other signatories include the Philippine Ecozones Association, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Retailers Association, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, US-Asean Business Council and WomenBizPH.