Bello: Employers can't fire unvaxxed staff but may bar them from work

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello clarified that employers cannot dismiss workers who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but they may instruct them not to report for work.

Bello noted that companies can apply a 'no work, no pay' policy if unvaccinated employees do not come to work.

The Palace stated there is no law allowing employers to turn away unvaccinated workers, contradicting earlier remarks by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., who said companies have the right to hire only vaccinated individuals.

Roque maintained that a new law is needed to mandate vaccination for employees, while Bello cited an Inter-Agency Task Force resolution under Alert Level 3 as legal basis for employers requiring workers to get vaccinated.