Covid-19: Manufacturing sector workers under fourth phase of national immunisation plan

PETALING JAYA: Voluntary immunisation for manufacturing sector workers under the Program Imunisasi Industri Covid-19 Kerjasama Awam-Swasta (Pikas) will be launched on June 16 under phase four of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Program, says the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

In a statement Saturday (June 12), Miti said they would be coordinating the vaccinations for employees in the manufacturing sector while other ministries would be responsible for workers in their respective sectors.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pic) said the government was committed to ensure employees have free vaccines under the programme, supported by the private sector utilising private medical practitioners nationwide, including vaccination at factory premises.

"Implementation of Pikas will begin on June 16 with on-site vaccination at designated factories and industrial locations.

"Companies in critical manufacturing sub-sectors including 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 will be prioritised for vaccination," he said.

He said Miti had received applications from approximately 500 companies with a total of 106, 591 workers.

"Other companies interested to participate are welcome to submit their applications through their industry associations and business chambers of commerce," he said.

Azmin added that employers are not allowed to deduct an employee's salary to pay for administration fees for private medical general practitioners and privately-run vaccine administration centres.

"This includes cases where the employee is no longer employed by the company before full immunisation of the employee," he said.