Workers protest policy

By GLORIA BAUAI
MORE than 50 workers of Mainland Holdings Ltd attacked the company administration building yesterday allegedly over the compulsory vaccination policy against Coronavirus (Covid-19), an official says.
Lae Met Supt Chris Kunyanban said the company had imposed the “no jab, no job” policy with an end of the month deadline.
He said there was a disagreement on this policy between the administration and employees.
Frustrated workers entered the Mainland Holdings premises at 7-Mile outside Lae between 7.30am to 9am to protest and ended up damaging the administration building.
“They wanted to attack the company’s chief executive officer also but fortunately he took off before the attack,” Chief Supt Kunyanban said.
“Police were called in by staff to suppress the riot and stop further damage.
“No formal complaint has been laid but currently employees are talking with management to sort that issue out.”
Chief Supt Kunyanban said this was the first known incident involving workers protesting against a Covid-19 vaccination policy after the Government allowed companies the right to set their own measures.
“Many people have a misunderstanding of this issue so it’s hard to get them to get vaccinated,” he said.
“We’re expecting other similar scenarios to arise so the Government has to have a relook at this policy and establish a win-win situation for employers and employees.”
Attempts to get a response from Mainland Holdings and the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry were unsuccessful.