No jab no job policy can be challenged in the High Court – Filimoni Vosarogo

Filimoni Vosarogo of Vosarogo Law Firm has highlighted that people can challenge the ‘no jab, no job’ policy that was recently issued by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in the High Court if they feel their rights have been violated.

Speaking in the Cakaudrove virtual meeting with medical officials aimed at increasing awareness of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the iTaukei language, Vosarogo says the constitution protects the right of every Fijian and this includes their right to not get vaccinated based on their various reasons.

He says the Fijian constitution doesn’t allow anyone to be discriminated against their choice whether it is their belief or other reasons.

He adds that we must continue to do the awareness programs so people can be given the true information about the virus and the vaccines so they can make the right decisions.

The Turaga Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is urging every Fijian to listen and follow the advice being given by the Permanent Secretary and the Doctors who are on the frontline in this fight against COVID-19.

Ratu Naiqama says the choice is in everyone’s hands to get vaccinated or not but the vaccine will protect a person from the severe effects of the virus.

He says doctors and scientists around the world have come together to produce these vaccines and we are lucky that Australia, New Zealand, India, and the COVAX facility has provided the vaccines to us.

He adds no one knows when it will be our time but only God knows.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had made it clear during his national announcement, that civil servants who have not received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must go on leave from Monday and they cannot come back to work until they receive at least the first dose of the vaccine.

Bainimarama says in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, they are also requiring that all employers and employees in the private sector and statutory bodies receive at least one dose of the vaccine by 1st August 2021.

For civil servants, that must be done by 15th August 2021, after which they may return to work so long as they go on to be fully vaccinated by 1st November 2021.

Bainimarama says if the civil servants do not adhere to these guidelines they will be dismissed from work.

The Prime Minister further says under the Fijian Constitution, guidelines can be issued by Government to which all civil servants must adhere.