Compulsory COVID-19 vaccination at the workplace in South Africa

Abstract

Labour protection is afforded to those workers who fall under the definition of "employee". COVID-19 has affected the safety of employers and employees in the workplace and has put more responsibility on employees to ensure safety of workers at the workplace. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed, and it came with a lot of criticism from the public. This led to some resistance in taking the vaccine by some people.

This created a problem, especially at workplaces where safety is concerned. Some employers had to make vaccination at workplaces compulsory. Given the challenges created by the pandemic, the courts had to intervene and scrutinize compulsory vaccination at workplaces.

Labour law makes a clear emphasis on safety of employees at the workplace.

This study will address the challenges and the balance that needs to be created where compulsory vaccination at workplaces is concerned, especially when the health and safety of employees and other members are concerned.

The author aspire that this research will ignite Labour Law minds to engage more with the vexed capabilities of Labour Law and the balance of creating health and safety at workplaces where compulsory vaccination is concerned.