Singapore employers urged to regularly test unvaccinated workers

To ensure the safety of workplaces, Singapore has advised that all employers adopt regular testing for their unvaccinated staff.

The guidelines, however, are compulsory for select industries. From October 1, workers in industries like healthcare, eldercare, and food services will be required to either be vaccinated, or undergo regular testing. 

“Under no circumstances should an employer terminate or threaten to terminate the service of an employee on the basis of vaccination status alone. Employers should also not place employees on no-pay leave for an extended duration without their mutual consent in writing,” according to the statement by the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Health, National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation. 

“However, employers may exercise their right to contractually terminate employment if unvaccinated employees do not comply with reasonable vaccination-differentiated workplace measures.”

All employers may also ask workers for their vaccination status for business purposes, and further require their staff to produce proof of vaccination. 

READ: Singapore reviews advisory for workers’ vaccinations

The guidelines added that employers should urge all their medically eligible employees who have yet to be vaccinated to do so, and implement public education programmes on vaccine safety and efficacy for their employees.

Firms should also facilitate vaccination by granting paid time-off to employees to receive their jabs, the statement read.