The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) revealed that some workers complain that their employers are not paying them while not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Hindi binigay ang kanilang kinsenas na sahod. Ang sabi sa kanila kailangan i-submit muna ang complete vaccination card para makuha ang complete sahod,” said TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay.
According to Tanjusay, the workers are still afraid to file a complaint because they might be fired.
“Hindi namin alam kung gaano siya kalaganap. Iilan pa lang ang nagreklamo. Ang concern talaga namin ay maiwasan ang pagdami nito,” said Tanjusay.
According to some employees, this is not fair.
“Di naman po puwede ‘yung gano’n, sir, di naman po lahat gusto magpa-vaccine,” said Jenalyn Jose, a cashier.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the so-called “no-jab-no-pay” scheme is illegal, and he called on all victims to file a complaint.
“Under the law, hindi mo puwedeng i-hold ang sweldo ng employee unless there is a legal basis or legal cause,” said Bello.
Sen. Joel Villanueva wants to punish employers with such a policy.
“We also call for DOLE’s immediate action to ensure our workers are paid their wages, regardless of their vaccination status, and impose penalties on those who would be found violating the labor code provisions on the nonpayment of wages,” said Villanueva.
Some workers complain of ‘no-jab-no-pay’ policy
Sen. Franklin Drilon also complained when he learned of the no-jab-no-pay scheme.
“While we do encourage all workers to get vaccinated, we must do it in a lawful manner. To withhold the salary of unvaccinated employees is outright illegal and inhumane,” the senator said.
Based on TUCP data, 85 to 90 percent of its 1.2 million members have been vaccinated. However, that means there are 120,000 to 180,000 TUCP members who have not been vaccinated.
Most of them live in the provinces adjacent to the National Capital Region but work in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) has objected to the no-jab-no-pay policy, something that some offices are already doing even without a legal basis.
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