Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Unions flexing muscles against PM’s vaccination stance
Elroy Boucher, the president of the Public Service Union
News
June 18, 2021

Unions flexing muscles against PM’s vaccination stance

Public and private entities in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), have a legal right to impose a condition that allows for employees to be terminated if they refuse to take a COVID19 vaccine.

This is according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who was responding to a question posed by SEARCHLIGHT at a press conference on Tuesday in relation to mandatory vaccination.

But Elroy Boucher, the president of the Public Service Union says the ULP-led government is employing anti- worker tactics to force people into taking the vaccine.

And all trade unions should stand against that position.

“In the case of both public and private sectors, the employer has a right to have a safe place at work, including a healthy place for you to work, an environment for you to work and this is recognised by the common law; various statute law will bolster it, but the common law is there,” Gonsalves said in Cabinet Room this week.

The Prime Minister, who is also the Minister with responsibility for Legal Affairs, added that there is an obligation on the part of the employee to co-operate with the employer in having a safe and healthy place for work.

He told the media that he is currently in discussion with the Attorney General’s office on the matter of mandatory vaccination for certain sectors, and whether an employee can be terminated for not taking the vaccine.

“So that somebody who’s vaccinated can raise the issue in a workplace where the employees are not vaccinated. Similarly, the employer can inform the employees, ‘listen to me, if you don’t take this vaccine, you may be terminated’ but they have to be reasonable in terms of the notice,” Gonsalves said.

In providing further explanation on the subject, he said; “For instance, the state as an employer, central government, and the advice which we have received – and I read the law too – you will give a reasonable notice period, say ‘listen, we are planning to have persons at this or that work environment vaccinated and that we’ll make the vaccine accessible to you’, whether is a two week period you get, or four week period in which this is going to be done, and if you refuse to take it, it would be considered that this is an act of misconduct and acts of misconduct may lead to your dismissal”.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that “we don’t have to come to that and that people will see sense and take up the vaccine”.

All unvaccinated public sector workers are now required to be regularly tested up to once every two weeks, as outlined by the government.

This came into effect on Monday, June 14 ,and testing will be based on risk levels as determined by health authorities.
But PSU president, Elroy Boucher believes this policy is another attempt to force public servants into taking the COVID19 vaccine.

Boucher told SEARCHLIGHT that the unions are not opposed to regular testing or vaccination, but that the government was not implementing the policies in the correct manner.

On the matter of mandatory vaccination, the trade unionist noted that discussion on the issue in the region has returned the conclusion that employees who decide not to take the vaccine cannot be fired.

And he believes it is illegal to fire any worker because they have not taken a vaccine.

“Our government, which is a labour government, has employed some anti worker tactics. Why hasn’t Barbados done that? It’s anti-labour. You are basically encouraging the private sector and others to dismiss employees if they haven’t taken the vaccine. It’s just madness. How can you as a labour government reach that stage to be doing that?…” Boucher questioned.

He also noted that when the Prime Minister was first asked whether he would be vaccinated, he responded by saying that he would give it “prayerful consideration”.

“In other words, he had to make a choice, he would think about it…he had invoked choice, but he doesn’t want to give anybody else a choice. He alone must have that choice…how could that be really fair?,” the PSU president further asked.
He also questioned who would be responsible if an employee develops problems as a result of taking a vaccine because they were mandated to do so.

Boucher told SEARCHLIGHT that his union continues to encourage workers to become vaccinated after getting all the information and being comfortable to make an informed decision on the matter.

But he said all trade unions in SVG “should stand up against what the Prime Minister has stated either by alluding to mandatory vaccination, or by encouraging employers to dismiss workers for not taking the vaccine. All the unions, if they are really worth their salt, will stand against it because this should be viewed as illegal by all trade unions. it is an anti-union, anti worker position”.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Free movement of  people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Front Page
    Free movement of people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Many Vincentians and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals are welcoming the decision by four CARICOM governments to institute the free moveme...
    ‘Unprincipled  non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Front Page
    ‘Unprincipled non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly a few days ago that entities in the international sphere are seeking...
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50  businesses in East Kingstown
    Front Page
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50 businesses in East Kingstown
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), moved its campaign to Sion Hill last Saturday, September, 27,2025 as it seeks to retain its hold on the Eas...
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Front Page
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves renewed his call at the United Nations for the inclusion of Taiwan in the organisation’s specialised agencies. Deli...
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Front Page
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    More than EC$700,000 in prize money was handed out to the 2025 VincyMas winners, on Sunday night, September, 28,2025, at Carnival City, Victoria Park....
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Press Release
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    As the Atlantic Hurricane season reaches its peak, more than 47 disaster management professionals from across the Caribbean and beyond have joined for...
    News
    Rose Place woman  remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    From the Courts, News
    Rose Place woman remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A woman who resides at Rose Place was remanded after threatening to “blow out” a farmer’s head. Rasharma Pollard appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’...
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    From the Courts, News
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A father’s request was granted when his son, who had pointed a gun at him, was imprisoned. Simon Simmons appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court ...
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    News
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented and even eliminated, provided that countries strengthen their vaccination, screening, ...
    Prayer sustains woman  caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    News
    Prayer sustains woman caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The world recognized Alzheimer’s Day on September, 21, 2025, but for the Muhammad family, of Largo Height, Alzheimer’s is an everyday reality that is ...
    Librarian and Poet uses  spoken-word as a relief Valve
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses spoken-word as a relief Valve
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Often times, people’s struggles, insecurities, physical issues and inner pain are masked by an exterior that looks strong, poised and well put togethe...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok