MANILA, Philippines — Private companies should not make their workers pay for COVID-19 vaccines, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.
“Bawal po yun, kung babakunahan, babakunahan sila, dapat libre kasi sagot ng ating pamahalaan natin yan eh,” Bello initially said over Teleradyo when asked about employees having to pay for their vaccines.
(That’s not allowed, if they want to vaccinate, they should vaccinate but for free because our government provides for that.)
Asked about companies who bought their own vaccines, Bello said: “Ok lang, gamitin nila yung bakuna pero wag silang maningil.” (That’s okay, they can use their vaccines but they should not make their employees pay.)
“Ang pagintindi namin, kaya sila bumili, para mabakunahan yung mga empleyado nila para masiguro yung safety condition nung kanilang workplaces,” Bello added. (From our understanding, they bought it to vaccinate their employees to ensure the safety condition of their workplaces.)
The national government recently approved the proposal to start vaccinating essential workers.
Essential workers, however, are set to receive their shots by the end of May, or once the supply stabilizes.