Ministry gives teachers ultimatum
FIJI’S 13,184 school teachers have been told to get vaccinated or face termination, Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Anjeela Jokhan has stated in a circular issued last week.
She said those who haven’t received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have been told to go on any paid annual leave, time-off in lieu, followed by unpaid leave from Monday.
She states the directive is made under section 127(8) of the Fijian Constitution and with the approval of the minister responsible, “it is now a condition of employment, and of access to employment, for all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19”.
“In order to continue to work and to access the workplace, all employees must have at least received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine no later than 15 August 2021 and receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 8 weeks after their first dose,” she stated.
“For the purpose of this directive, the COVID-19 vaccine means a vaccine approved for use against the COVID-19 virus by the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services.
“Employees who are yet to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are required to proceed on leave from 12 July 2021 (that is, on any paid annual leave and/or time-off in lieu, followed by unpaid leave), but only until 15 August 2021.”
“They must receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by no later than 15 August 2021.”
She says anyone not getting vaccinated by August 15 “will be in breach of their condition of employment which constitutes a basis for dismissal”.
Teachers who have a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine have been asked to apply for exemption with a medical certificate “only from the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services”.