Employees subject to mandatory COVID vaccination not to be fired for failing to get their jab - minister

As Ukraine is introducing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for certain jobs, employees will not be laid off if they do not undergo the required medical procedure.

That’s according to Minister of Health Viktor Liashko who spoke with Espreso, Ukrinform reports.

"We are not talking about layoffs, we are talking about them being suspended without pay. It is key – suspension without pay. But the position shall be reserved for the employee in question. We are talking about the fact that we will suspend them pending quarantine, no matter how long it’s in place, if they don’t get vaccinated,” Liashko said.

The minister added that the list of jobs requiring vaccination is yet to be approved by central executive authorities and registered with the Ministry of Justice.

As reported, the Ministry of Health has drafted an order laying down the list of jobs where employees shall be subject to mandatory preventive vaccinations in the absence of absolute medical reservations.

According to the draft document posted on the ministry’s website, mandatory preventive vaccination for COVID-19 pending quarantine shall be applied to employees of central executive bodies and their territorial units; local state administrations; institutions of higher, postgraduate, professional higher, professional (vocational), general secondary, including special, preschool, and out-of-school education, specialized education facilities and scientific institutions, regardless of the type and form of ownership.

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