HUN SEN: GOVT STAFF MUST GET JAB

Civil servants who refuse to get vaccinated run risk of getting sacked, says Cambodia PM

CAMBODIA has warned its civil servants that they risk being sacked if they refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19, the Phnom Penh Post reports.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said there were concerns about unvaccinated civil servants interacting closely with their colleagues and the public.

In an audio message, Hun Sen said he had noticed two types of people as the vaccination scheme for civil servants is implemented. The first were those who wanted to be vaccinated as soon as possible, and the second were those who were avoiding vaccinations over side-effect fears.

“I would like to make it clear that vaccination is voluntary.

“But in the future, vaccination will become an obligation for some jobs, especially for members of the armed forces and civil service.

“I would like to inform civil servants who don’t want to be vaccinated that once government institutions reach the point where they have administered vaccinations to up to 70 per cent of their workforce, then those who have failed to be vaccinated may find themselves out of work.

“Just get vaccinated to protect your lives and join the fight against Covid-19 ... or the continuation of your services in the employ of the state may no longer be necessary,” Hun Sen said.

He also asked all ministers to keep a tally of the number of fully vaccinated officials, those who still need a second dose and those who remain unvaccinated.

He ordered all ministries to hire only fully vaccinated officials, with exceptions granted only to those who cannot be vaccinated because of health.

Hun Sen also suggested that in the future, in addition to a medical certificate, people should be issued a card if they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

“I’m not trying to cause tensions between the vaccinated and unvaccinated people, and I don’t want (any) discrimination, but all of this is to get everyone to do their bit to stop Covid-19.

“No one will suffer any penalties without first being given a warning but after that, it is their choice,” he said.

Civil Service Minister Prum Sokha has ordered all ministries and institutions to determine the number of civil servants and contract staff who have yet to get vaccinated and submit the names to him before April 12.

Cambodian Institute for Democracy president Pa Chanroeun said he had asked the government to educate citizens on the importance of vaccinations before meting out penalties.

Chanroeun said if the government was too tough on those who declined vaccinations, it would affect the rights of citizens and run contrary to World Health Organisation advice that vaccinations should be voluntary.

Justice Ministry spokesman Kim Santepheap said vaccinations would be voluntary, but people in certain jobs might need to be inoculated.