The Banking, Insurance and General Workers’ Union, BIGWU, has initiated industrial action against Republic Bank Limited, seeking to reverse the company’s policy which mandates that all unvaccinated employees must get two PCR Covid-19 tests a month at their own expense.

Noting that a PCR test could cost as much as $1,500, the union described the policy as “discriminatory, unfair, unjust and unlawful.”

In response, the bank issued a statement saying: “Republic Bank remains committed to a safe return to work policy.”