Teacher unions have expressed where they stand in relation to the introduction of mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations. This comes after most institutions of higher learning are in full support of making vaccination mandatory.
South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) support mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations in South Africa.
Naptosa’s executive director Basil Manuel said the union conducted a survey that showed that the majority of its members would strongly support mandatory jabs in schools and other places of work.
More than 70% of the respondents of this survey who have received the jab, stated that they disagree with mandatory vaccination.
Manuel said that this means that the members felt their issue was with the methodology and more education is much needed.
The union has presented its research findings to all education MEC’s.
“We want government to spell out what it sees as mandatory so that we are all clear about what we are buying into but we support moving towards mandatory vaccinations,” said Manuel.
The government will be approaching the constitutional court so that there will be an affirmation of the mandatory vaccination.
“We don’t want the courts to make the initial decision but rather the government to make the decision and let the courts affirm it,” said Manuel.
Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi and Nedlac executive director Lisa Seftel have confirmed to have made recommendations to the government that vaccine mandates should be carried out at workplaces and that some venues should be only accessible to vaccinated persons.
This matter will be further discussed at this week’s National Coronavirus Command Council meeting.
Nxesi emphasized that Nedlac’s rapid response task team believed vaccines remained the most effective tool to fight the pandemic and lockdowns.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said that there should be restrictions on the unvaccinated.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions said that it will also support members who are anti-vaxxers.
On the other hand, SADTU hasn’t made a definite decision and will have meetings prior to informing its members of the unions’ final decision.
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