Qantas, Australia’s leading and international airline, requires all staff to be vaccinated as part of their efforts to ensure workplace safety.
Frontline employees, including flight attendants, pilots and airport workers, must be vaccinated twice with the COVID-19 vaccine by November 15. The rest of the staff will need to be vaccinated by the end of March next year. ..
Qantas I got it Employees who refuse the vaccine should submit a medical certificate explaining why they should be exempted, noting that they apply strict guidelines for approving the exemption.
Airline CEO Alan Joyce said having a fully vaccinated workforce would protect airline staff from viruses and protect the customers and communities they serve.
“One crew member can fly to multiple cities and reach thousands of people in a single day. Given the potential for the virus to spread, they are vaccinated. It’s very important to make sure you’re there, and I think it’s the safety leadership people expect from us, “Joyce said.
“Because we provide essential services, this helps prevent the confusion that can be caused by one positive COVID case shutting down a cargo facility or airport terminal.”
Joyce explained that vaccination is the only way to end the blockade and border closure cycles that Qantas and Jetstar employees need to get back to work.
“Since the vaccine became available, we have strongly encouraged everyone to get a jab and have provided paid vacation to achieve it. From the survey, 4 of the respondents We found that more than three-thirds had their sleeves rolled up at least once, and 60% had both jabs. “
The airline said it had surveyed 22,000 staff on this topic, and after receiving 12,000 responses, decided to make the vaccine a condition of employment. Of these, 89% were already vaccinated or planned to be vaccinated.
According to the survey, three-quarters thought that all employees needed to be vaccinated and would be worried if other employees had not been jabed.
Only 4% said they would not be vaccinated.
The decision to make the COVID-19 vaccine a condition of employment for Qantas is because unions, companies and industry groups have stated that they agree with the government that COVID-19 vaccination should be voluntary.
Rarely Joint statementThe Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Business Council (BCA), respectively, are the highest institutions in the union and business community, saying: Change the spontaneous nature of vaccination. “
“Employers and trade unions recognize that in a small number of high-risk workplaces, all workers in the workplace may need to be vaccinated to protect the health and safety of the community. These are serious decisions and should not be left to individual employers, but only according to public health advice based on risk and medical evidence, “the statement said.
However, ACTU and BCA have urged the government and the national cabinet to implement mandatory immunization requirements using nationally consistent public health orders.
In addition, after meeting with Attorney General Michaelia Cash on August 18, Innes Willox, CEO of the Australian Industry (AI) Group, said that the industry group is now obliged to vaccine vaccines to employers rather than governments. He said he considers it to be the role of. report news.com.au.
“Companies seeking vaccination need to seek legal advice to ensure that such a decision is legal and rational,” Willox said. rice field.
“We have solidified our view that it is the employer who needs to decide if they have a safe legal basis in the absence of a rare COVID vaccination health order,” said CEO. The person in charge said.
“Vaccination requirements are not appropriate in all workplaces, but in some workplaces. More companies facing the public or have workers nearby will continue to do so. It’s no surprise to announce a decision to mandate vaccination for several months. “
