Maritime Administration sends home all unvaccinated staffers

Staff members at the Maritime Administration Department's headquarters were called to a meeting this morning where they were informed of the Department's new requirement for staff members by Director General Stephen Thomas.

Maritime Administration sends home all unvaccinated staffers

Several staff members of the Maritime Administration Department who are still to be vaccinated against COVID-19 were sent home this morning and told that they should only return to their jobs when they get vaccinated.

Additionally, they will not be paid for their days away from work.

Staff members at the Maritime Administration Department’s headquarters were called to a meeting this morning where they were informed of the Department’s new requirement for staff members by Director General Stephen Thomas.

News Source was told that the staffers were not given the option of being regularly tested for the virus, but were told clearly that they must stay away from work until they are vaccinated.

“The staffers were told that once they are not vaccinated, they can no longer be on the premises, so they must leave immediately”, one staffer told News Source.

The MARAD Director-General told managers at the Government Department that his decision is based on the Government’s gazetted order which speaks to persons who are unvaccinated not being allowed to visit a Government Ministry or Agency unless they have an appointment.

The gazetted government order does not make it mandatory for staff members at Government Ministries or Agencies to be vaccinated in order to be at work.

The move by the MARAD Director General came as a surprise to the staffers, but they said he made it clear that the requirement is now in place and they can choose to get vaccinated or remain at home and lose their salaries for those at home days.

When contacted by News Source, MARAD Director-General Stephen Thomas said he is following the Government order. He said the agency’s website should be visited for more information on its decision.

There was no notice about the new requirement for staff members posted anywhere on the agency’s website.

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