There is a deafening silence from private sector organisations in wake of news that many adverse reactions to the COVID vaccines have emerged, including sudden deaths and blood clots.
Many private sector employees were forced by their employers to take the jab, and in the case of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, put themselves at risk of the announced adverse reaction of blood clots, which could lead to their ultimate demise.
Several Jamaicans had to make the painful decision of taking the jab as some private sector companies implemented vaccine mandates, which made the working environment uncomfortable for the unvaccinated.
The companies that instituted this policy included banks, telecommunications firm, pharmaceutical companies, restaurants, hotels and at least one media entity. Those who refused to take the injection suffered inconveniences, such as being mandated to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 result each week.
In response to the low take up of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association had issued a joint statement in October 2021 calling for a vaccination policy to be implemented.
The National Commercial Bank had issued a memo to staff that month, informing them of the need to share their vaccination cards with department heads by the end of the month as proof that they had been partially or fully vaccinated. Those who refused to be vaccinated were required to submit a “legitimate” negative PCR COVID test – done at their expense – each week. Unvaccinated employees without PCR test results were required to take the days on which they are absent as unpaid leave.
Employees however protested the implementation of the policy as there were several concerns. Among them, was whether NCB would be willing to accept liability if persons who are forced to take the vaccine were to develop any negative reaction or death. There were concerns too for those who refused to be vaccinated based on their religious beliefs as well as for those who refuse because insufficient clinical trials had not been done to determine the long-term effect of the vaccine.
Later that year, the Supreme Court refused to grant injunctions blocking the implementation of mandatory COVID vaccine policies by Digicel Jamaica and Cari-Med Limited pending a trial. Cari-Med had mandated its employees to take one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines by October 4, 2021 or present a negative PCR test every two weeks in order to be allowed to enter its facilities to work. Five of the company’s employees filed a suit and asked the court to either strike down the policy or make exceptions to it. However, the court ruled against their constitutional claim, saying that their rights were not breached.
The GraceKennedy Group also announced that it would implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees and contractors in January 2022. All GK employees, contractors and consultants were told that they would be required to be either fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19. Those not fully vacinated by April 29 were told that they would be subjected to COVID-19 PCR testing every two weeks.
The Jamaican Bar Association had put out a statement in August 2021 saying that Jamaica had no law that forbids an employer from enforcing mandatory vaccinations for workers.
“There is also no law or ruling that says that dismissing a worker for being unvaccinated constitutes discrimination or would not be justifiable in the contest of a global pandemic,” then president Alexander Williams said at the time.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness had announced in January 2022 that a COVID-19 vaccination policy was to be implemented for public sector workers. He disclosed that public sector employees would be required to get vaccinated or get tested.
“The Government of Jamaica will be taking steps to ensure that we can secure and guarantee the continued operation and provision of government services. We have indicated long ago that we will put in place measures for testing and for requiring vaccinations for public sector workers,” he told the House of Representative on January 11.