The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) president, Mr. Tony Kagovai has questioned the continued validity, legality, and moral justification of the government’s “No Jab, No Job” policy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kagovai said, this policy, enacted during the height of the global health crisis, is now an outdated and disproportionate measure that continues to unfairly victimise hardworking citizens across our nation.
“The public health landscape has evolved significantly, and the disciplinary employment conditions attached to vaccine mandates are no longer defensible.”
SICTU stated that the policy’s enforcement constitutes a severe violation of workers’ rights, including the right to fair treatment, the right to work, and the right to freedom from discrimination.
It has caused immense personal and financial hardship for many Solomon Islanders and their families, who were unjustly separated from their livelihoods in both the public service and the private sector.
SICTU president calls on the Government to immediately invalidate and officially rescind the outdated “No Jab, No Job” policy across all sectors, and for the Recall and Reinstatement of all workers in the public service and private sector who were unfairly targeted, suspended, or terminated as a result of this policy.
“These citizens must be restored to their positions with their full rights, benefits, and seniority recognized.”
SICTU president further calls on government and all employers across Solomon Islands to immediately cease using this policy as grounds for any employment decision.
“Continued enforcement against workers is unacceptable and will be viewed as an act of bad faith and victimization. We stand in solidarity with any worker further targeted by this defunct policy,” he said.
Furthermore, SICTU is actively studying the legal foundations of this policy at the time of its enactment and its current validity under our nation’s laws and constitutional protections.
“Our preliminary assessment raises serious legal questions regarding its proportionality and its infringement on fundamental rights.
“Should the Government fail to act promptly and justly to rectify this injustice, SICTU will consider options including seeking legal redress through the courts to challenge the policy’s legality and to secure justice for the victims.
“Our nation must move forward with unity and compassion, not with policies that divide and punish.
“We urge the Government to do the right thing, restore dignity to our people, and repeal this unjust policy without delay,” the statement concluded.
