The CFMEU says the decision is 'premature'
Mining giant BHP has announced that they’ll mandate vaccinations in all of its worksites starting early next year, banning those have not had the jabs against COVID-19.
According to a statement released on Thursday, vaccines will be a condition of entry to BHP's mines and office spaces no later than January 31 next year, with some worksites, such as in Mt Arthur Coal in New South Wales, to impose the rule earlier. The company has yet to announce a deadline in the selected workplaces, but said they’re taking local risks into account.
"We have undertaken a thorough assessment and believe that this is the right path forward to protect the health of our people, their families and the communities where we operate," BHP Minerals Australia president Edgar Basto said in a statement quoted by ABC, referring to remote Indigenous communities where the company is operating.
The mandate comes after Western Australia announced that all workers in the resources sector should be vaccinated against COVID-19, covering all employees in exploration, mining, oil, and gas industries. BHP also confirmed that they’re complying with the recently announced mandate. The company has been implementing initiatives to expand vaccine coverage among employees, including launching the first workplace-based vaccination site in New South Wales.
Read more: BHP workers fired after reports of sexual harassment
However, not everyone is happy with the recent announcement. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) previously revealed their stand against mandatory vaccinations - and it remains firm even after BHP's latest policy.
They added that BHP's mandate has a "lot of unknown questions" that do not have answers, "particularly in Queensland coal," according to Steve Smyth, Mining and Energy Queensland president.
Questions covering regarding pay, adverse reactions to the vaccine, and exemptions were brought up by Smyth, while also asking if the vaccinations could take place during work hours.
"It's a bit premature, we say, to do this and what's missing is a level of engagement and transparency from the employer," he said as quoted by ABC.
