The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has made headlines after reportedly dismissing an application of an employee of the Gold Rush Group who was fired for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to SABC News, Gold Rush Group introduced mandatory vaccinations to protect its employees, and in the arbitration award, it was said that Theresa Mulderij’s dismissal was on the grounds of not creating a safe working environment for her co-workers.
The CCMA found that Mulderij’s dismissal was fair, considering she did not comply with company regulations and adhere to the mandatory vaccination policy, News24 adds.
However, Mulderiji maintained that it was her constitutional human right to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination.
This ruling could soon spill over even further to other companies that have a mandatory vaccine policy in place as several South African companies have announced that they will implement a vaccine mandate.
Workers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will not have access to their employer’s premises under this specific policy.
Discovery was one of the first companies to reveal plans to introduce mandatory vaccinations as chief executive Adrian Gore said: “Based on the science and public health imperative, we see it as our responsibility to materially increase the country’s overall vaccination rate.”
Old Mutual also announced that it has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for its employees in South Africa, effective from 1 January 2022. Under this policy, employees will be required to declare and submit proof of their vaccination status to the company.
Iain Williamson, Chief Executive at Old Mutual said that the company has a moral obligation to make and support decisions that will benefit the long-term wellbeing of its employees, customers and stakeholders.
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