PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has confirmed that the former government’s “No Jab, No Job” policy was officially revoked on 31 December 2023.
PM Manele made the confirmation during his first press conference on Monday, following reports that the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) relied on the policy to disapprove the appointment of Solomon Kalu as Director General of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).
In a letter sent to Mr Kalu by the Ministry of Public Service after the JLSC decision, the Commission confirmed that Kalu was a former public servant who previously served as Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission but resigned after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine under the then mandatory policy.
The letter stated that Mr Kalu refused vaccination on religious grounds and personal convictions. It further noted that when he later reapplied for the Leadership Code Commission chairmanship, he was not shortlisted following advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers on COVID-19-related matters.
“In this particular case, the Commission was made aware that the interview panel had been advised by the Attorney-General’s Office against including you in the shortlisting on COVID-19-associated concerns, but the panel chose to ignore the advice,” the letter stated.
The JLSC concluded that Mr Kalu’s refusal to comply with government policy demonstrated a failure to meet public service requirements, rendering him unsuitable for appointment. As a result, the Commission did not approve his appointment and advised that the SIICAC Director General position be re-advertised.
However, PM Manele clarified that the COVID-19 vaccination policy is no longer in force.
“That was then, in terms of the COVID policy. COVID is no longer around, and the policy has been rescinded,” he said, adding that this would be taken into account in reconsidering applications.
The Prime Minister acknowledged delays in appointing the SIICAC Director General but stressed the need to respect institutional independence.
“SIICAC is an independent body. Recruitment is handled by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, not politicians,” he said.
According to a Public Service Circular Memorandum issued in February 2024, Cabinet revoked both the “No Jab, No Job” policy and mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all public servants and applicants, effective from 31 December 2023.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
