Job seekers cannot be forced to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as a pre-employment requirement, the Department of Labor and Employment said Tuesday.
The labor department also cautioned employers against enforcing a "no vaccine, no pay" policy because it's against the law.
"Ipinagbabawal po na irequire yung vaccination card para makapaghanap ng bagong trabaho o lumipat sa bagong trabaho. Bawal po iyon," Labor Usec. Benjo Benavides said in an online briefing.
The DOLE also urged workers who don't get paid because they are not vaccinated to file a complaint with the agency.
READ: 'No COVID Vaccine, No Pay' is Illegal, Says Labor Dept
While COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory in the Philippines, it is encouraged to help end the pandemic that has claimed over 40,000 lives and infected 2.7 million people in the country alone.
The Department of Health had said that there was no policy mandating COVID-19 vaccination, urging companies to instead offer incentives to those who choose to get the jab.
So far, the Philippines has fully vaccinated some 24 million of its people, and aims to inoculate 90% of its population before the 2022 elections.
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