DOLE: Employers can't fire or refuse salary to unvaccinated workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has stated that employers cannot fire or refuse to pay unvaccinated workers as there is no legal basis for mandatory vaccination.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III clarified on Thursday that while employers in Metro Manila can cite an Inter-Agency Task Force resolution allowing more businesses to operate if their workers are vaccinated, they still cannot withhold salaries without a legal cause.

On Monday, DOLE said it would investigate cases of employers withholding the salaries of unvaccinated workers as this practice is 'unlawful'.

Lawmakers and labor unions have called on DOLE to probe reports of companies implementing a 'no vaccine, no pay' policy, which they say discriminates against workers who lack access to vaccines.