The government has recently announced on July 18 that they target to complete vaccinations by October this year instead of December. Employers can rest easily knowing that their employees health is in safe hands.
Another good news is that government has also confirmed a walk-in vaccination initiative for those who are unaccounted for by DOSM (Department of Statistics Malaysia). In other words, those who haven't gotten their appointment after August 1, you may walk-in to the selected vaccination centres (PPVs) which will be announced by government next month.
However, this only applies for residents living in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
(16 July 2021)
- Migrant workers can get vaccinated at Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) with appointments made via MySejahtera, confirmed by our Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
- All senior citizens aged 60 and above who have not received an appointment date can walk in for their Covid-19 jabs at any vaccination centre (PPV) in the Klang Valley starting on July 17.
- Sinovac vaccines would be available commercially from Aug 1.
- Over 100,000 workers in the manufacturing sector have received their first Covid-19 vaccination dose under the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas).
- New online registration launched on 15 July to ease Pikas vaccination at factories can be registered via their website here.
National Recovery Plan: Where are we now?
We are now in phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan. According to our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the second phase will see several more economic sectors such as the manufacturing industry will be allowed to operate with up to 80 per cent capacity.
As of 18 July 2021, over 9.8 million people in the country have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose while over 4.5 million have been fully vaccinated according to Our World in Data.
COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs for Employers
The recovery period is indeed a crucial time for employers, and your role will be very important during this time to safeguard your employees health at work.
We have compiled some important FAQs from Lexology, World Law Group, and Shearn Delamore & Co which serve as a brief guide for employers to better understand the vaccination framework from an employment law and HR perspective.
1. Is the vaccine fully or partially covered by the applicable jurisdiction?
The Malaysian government will cover the cost of vaccination up to a limited period to be determined in due course.
2. Can a company mandate that employees to get vaccinated?
An employer cannot force its employees to be vaccinated unless it is contractually or voluntarily agreed upon.
3. Can employer asks job applicants to get vaccinated as a condition of employment?
There is no legal restriction against such a practice.
4. Should your company reimburse employees for any vaccinations?
As our government is providing free covid-19 vaccination, employers don't need to reimburse their employees. Unless, if employers require their employees to get vaccinated quickly, they can choose to purchase vaccination starting in August 2021.
While for employers in manufacturing sector who seek to expedite their workers vaccination can apply for on-site vaccination within factory premise or at identified and approved location but there will be a cost under PIKAS program. (refer to question 9 & 10).
5. Are employees required to be compensated for the time spent being vaccinated, whether it occurs during regular working hours or during non-working time?
While not required by law, some employers are offering paid leave beyond their standard leave following vaccination, to recover from any side effects. The additional time off can also help to encourage more employees to get vaccinated.
6. Are there any other legal risks to consider in requiring employee vaccinations?
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to ensure the safety and health of their workers, but if you are forced by your employer to get vaccinated and suffer death or adverse reaction, then the employer is arguably violating the same law.
7. Are employers required to provide paid leave for employees to get vaccinated?
There is no such statutory requirement at this time, but the government is considering it. In most circumstances, employees in the private sector who have appointments for this vaccination would be granted paid leave over and above their annual leave.
However, this is left to the discretion of the employer in the absence of any statutory requirement to do so.
Swingvy users: If your company is providing additional leave for Covid-19 vaccination, you can easily create a leave type by adding "Covid-19 vaccination" in Swingvy HR software. This will allow you to keep track of your employees applying for the Covid-19 vaccination. Watch the video below or read our knowledge base here.
8. If you require your employees to get vaccinated, are you required to notify the government?
The employer is not required to notify the government at this juncture. The vaccination program is currently driven by the government itself, so records are kept by health authorities and the government.
9. Should my company register for PIKAS to quickly get my employees vaccinated?
Companies from the manufacturing sector only can apply under PIKAS for free vaccination:
- Electrical and electronics;
- Food processing;
- Iron and steel;
- Medical devices;
- Personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Oil and gas and rubber products, including medical glove manufacturing sub-sectors
PIKAS is a public-private partnership immunisation programme aimed at employees for which Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has been tasked to coordinate the immunisation for employees in the manufacturing sector.
Full FAQs in regards to PIKAS may refer here.
10. How would PIKAS be implemented?
Vaccination through PIKAS is implemented through two (2) models. Model 1 is vaccination at common use PPV while Model 2 refers to on-site vaccination within factory premise or at identified and approved location.
- Model 1 vaccination: Read FAQ here
- Model 2 vaccination: Read FAQ here
Interested companies may register online from now onwards via PIKAS official website here.
All further enquiries may be directed to pikas.enquiry@miti.gov.my or MITI’s call centre at:
- 03-62071193;
- 03-62071194;
- 03-62071195; or 03-62071196.
*MITI’s call centre will operate Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
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