The Nigeria Labour Congress said the government should not force workers and the general populace to take the COVID-19 vaccine, but rather utilize the tool of persuasion and conviction in relating with the public.
NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba made the disclosure while briefing Journalists on FG COVID-19 vaccination advisory for the Federal Civil Servant.
He, therefore, called on the government and other employers of labour to make special arrangements for workers to access the vaccine at the workplace.
The labour body added that despite the fact that some individuals may have reservations regarding the vaccine, it is paramount to be on the side of caution taking preventive measures.
“I understand some people prefer to view COVID-19 vaccination with caution. It is important to proceed on issues of public health with great caution. It would be foolhardy to elevate caution above scientific evidence and facts from public health records”.
“The truth is despite being imperfect, the COVID-19 vaccine has given all of us a better chance of fighting the virus, and staying alive. We want all workers to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the Corona pandemic”.
Speaking on the impact of the vaccine on workers globally, he noted that “as at the third week of October 2021, more than 180,000 health workers world over had lost their lives to COVID-19.
“The high rate of fatality is unfortunate, but it also highlights the sacrifice that workers have made in combating and containing the deadly virus. Many more workers lost their jobs and means of livelihood to COVID-19.
