IPOH – Workers who refuse to get their Covid-19 vaccine jabs can face action under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 for causing an unsafe environment at the workplace.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said although there is no legal provision making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory, the act requires employers to ensure safety and health of themselves and others at the workplace.
“The public can argue that there is no new act but the act related to safety at the workplace can still be enforced. We cannot take action if we see someone is not vaccinated. But we can take action because the place is not safe in terms of the environment,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after handing over Social Security Organisation benefits to the wife of security guard Thava Sagayam who died after being bedridden for a long time following an assault by a tenant at a condominium in Taman Buntong Ria here today.
Saravanan said the ministry will also check existing factories to ensure good ventilation under the same act.
As such, he urged all quarters to support the vaccination programme so as to ensure the country will be free from Covid-19 infections, especially at worksites.
On Wednesday, Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health president Shawaludin Husin was reported as saying that employers do not have the power to force employees to get vaccinated jabs.
Shawaludin was claimed to have said coercion is not apt at this time because there is no provision under the law that makes Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for any individual. – Bernama, September 3, 2021
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