Commission investigates employer in Taveuni who is threatening her workers that they will be sacked if they get vaccinated

The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is investigating a complaint in which several farm labourers working for an estate located in South Taveuni are being threatened by their employer that if they opt to get the COVID-19 vaccination, they would be sacked.

The estate is believed to be owned by a foreigner, belonging to an international spiritual movement.

The Commission has been informed that the owner who is currently abroad has allegedly instructed her management to inform their farm labourers to oppose the COVID-19 vaccination.

Commission Director, Ashwin Raj says the farm labourers, who are opposed to the anti-vaxxer attitude of their employer, are willing to get vaccinated but fear losing their jobs.

Raj says such anti-vaccination campaigns are simply irresponsible and reckless with little regard for the sanctity of human life and human security in the face of soaring numbers of positive cases and the steady rise in the death toll.

The Commission has informed the Taveuni Police Station and the District Officer, Taveuni to look into the matter given that the labourers must be allowed to make an informed decision to protect themselves and their loved ones.