© BELGA
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The advice from hospitals to suspend and, if necessary, fire vaccine refusals in healthcare is not well received by the trade unions. ACV Puls does not oppose the vaccination obligation, but is “shocked by the threatening language”. The BBTK argues in favor of personally motivating healthcare staff to be vaccinated after all.
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Source: BELGIAN
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At the end of August, the Consultation Committee decided to oblige healthcare personnel to be vaccinated in the fight against the corona virus. But first some advice had to be obtained, including from the National Labor Council (NAR), in which trade unions and employers are represented. The advice shows that employers want to introduce sanctions for vaccine refusers, such as suspension or even dismissal. It is now up to the government of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to make final decisions.
The unions within the NAR already opposed the employers’ proposals to be able to proceed with a dismissal. And even now they are not satisfied with the “threatening message”. “It is very shocking that sanctions are immediately unpacked,” said Mark Selleslach, national secretary of ACV Puls. “Certainly at a time when it is still all hands on deck in the hospital sector. The message ‘We’re just going to throw you out’ is therefore very inappropriate.”
Medical reasons
The Christian trade union also emphasizes that the vaccination rate in the Flemish care sector is higher than 95 percent. “The majority of vaccine refusers do so for medical reasons,” it sounds. “Unvaccinated employees may be temporarily deployed in other positions and services.”
“We already have a major staff shortage, so we argue in favor of addressing people personally and motivating them to still be vaccinated instead of threatening suspension or dismissal,” said Jan-Piet Bauwens, national secretary at the socialist party. trade union BBTK. ACV Puls is also in favor of a personal approach, because refusal is often the cause of disinformation.
ACV Puls and ACV Public Services ask the Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke to initiate a consultation on the consequences of the vaccination obligation between trade unions, employers and the government.
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