With just two weeks left before the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines expected implementation of mandatory vaccination for frontline workers, the Teachers Union (SVGTU) has written to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves proposing that government accepts liability for any adverse reaction or death resulting from the Covid-19 vaccines.
The proposal is among three proposals the Teachers Union is asking the Prime Minister to consider for discussion at the meeting of Cabinet.
The proposals come on the heels of discussions the union held with Minister of Education St Clair Jimmy Prince and representatives from the Ministry of Education concerning the re-opening of schools, with reference to guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health.
The union is also proposing that the state bears the costs for testing to be done by teachers every two weeks.
“This suggestion is made in light of the fact that teachers have not received any salary increases for an extended period of time and will consider the imposition of payment for testing an additional expense which they will be unable to bear,” the union said in a letter dated October 5, 2021, and addressed to Prime Minister Gonsalves.
The union’s third proposal is that “all teachers be required to present a negative PCR test upon entry to schools as the science has shown that both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons can contract and transmit the coronavirus.”
The union has expressed hope that “these suggestions can be considered in the discussions prior to the teachers’ return to the physical classrooms.”
The government recently took a decision to include teachers as frontline workers.
The government has given an October 15 deadline for frontline workers to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 disease. After the deadline, frontline workers will have to find another job if they refuse to take the jab.
