A draft of a vaccination workplace policy is currently before the Industrial Workplace Advisory Committee, according to Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie who says legalities and personal rights under the constitution are among the considerations being given in compiling the document.

Minister Mc Clashie was responding to a question posed by Opposition MP Rudranath Indarsingh, during Wednesday afternoon’s sitting of the House of Representatives. 

“There are (trade) union representatives on this committee as well as private and government members. They are in the process of creating the policy and when it is ready we will engage the necessary persons to get their opinions,” the Minister said. 

Since Covid-19 vaccination began, government has maintained that mandatory vaccines will not be introduced, with Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh stating that employers could not force staff to take a vaccine at the risk of losing their jobs. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, Attorney General Faris al Rawi said: “The Cabinet has not discussed this matter nor has advice been formalised in relation to this. All that I would say for now is that people are encouraged to vaccinate so that we can protect the nation as we move ahead.”