Govt fumes at companies for pressuring employees to receive COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for bonuses

Ministry of Labour has said it is illegal for employers to give end-of-year bonuses to employees using vaccination against Covid-19 as a precondition.

The development comes barely weeks after reports emerged that First Capital Bank (FCB) will only give Christmas bonuses to employees who received COVID-19 jab.

Principal Secretary for Labour, Dickson Chunga, said in a statement that such an action is not supported by the country’s national labour laws and rules of natural justice.

Chunga said it is contrary to section 5 (1) of the Employment Act, as amended, which prohibits discrimination of employees on the basis of their status (vaccination status inclusive).

The Ministry said there is no scientific evidence showing a positive correlation between Covid-19 vaccination and an employee’s performance that would justify bringing the vaccination status into consideration in the award of bonuses to employees.

Chunga warned employers who ignore the advice that they stand the risk of being prosecuted which may result in serious damage to their businesses, both financially and in terms of image.