OC warns firms to be careful with Constitutional rights

THE Ombudsman Commission has warned companies in the private sector to act with caution when it comes to the constitutional rights of citizens concerning the mandatory Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination.
The warning by Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen comes after some employees in Lae claim to have been sacked or forced to resign after refusing to be vaccinated against the Covid-19.
Pagen and Ombudsman Commissioner Kevin Kepore said the commission had noted that more organisations, especially the private sector, had imposed “no jab, no job” policies in their workplaces which they both said bordered on the rights of citizens.
“Whilst the commission is mindful of the private sector’s rights and obligation to protect their businesses, we urge them to come up with arrangements that does not infringe on people’s right to choose,” Pagen said in a statement. “People must have a choice and that choice must not be taken away from them.”
Pagen said the commission did not have jurisdiction over the private sector but as a supervisor of public administration, it was committed to the protection of constitutional rights of the citizens.
He said even though the commission did not have a specific mandate on human rights enforcement, it, however, had the mandate to inquire into matters of discrimination pursuant to section 218 (b) and Section 219 (1) (c) of the Constitution.
He said the commission maintained that it was important to prevent discrimination against citizens of Papua New Guinea in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine.
“The commission urged all who have been affected by the vaccine mandates or have been treated unfairly at work to lodge a complaint with the commission,” Pagen said