Research Agenda: Health and Safety issues and its impact on the psychological and emotional aspects of

the individual.

Research Title: Investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination as requirement in employment on the
willingness of employees to work and continue an effective workforce.

Rationale:

The Philippines constitution still holds no law requiring COVID-19 vaccination among workers, as
stated by the Department of Labor and Employment. But with the onset of the pandemic, compliance
with the COVID-19 vaccine has become a category of unjust discrimination. Philippine lawmakers debate
the need to mandate COVID-19 vaccination programs among working industries requiring physical
contact with customers. In 2021, House Bill No. 10249, or the “Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Act”
was filed by House Representative Florida Robes. The bill imposes that COVID-19 vaccines should be
mandatory among qualified Filipino citizens. Refusal to take vaccines despite being eligible will face
penalties. Included in this legislative measure is an anti-discrimination clause for those in exemption –
people with conflicting religious beliefs and those with medical conditions contraindicated with the
vaccine.

In light of this issue, employers cannot simply dismiss or fire unvaccinated employees. However,
the Associated Labor Union (ALU) reported that companies are restricting, reassigning, relocating to
other branches, or suggesting a temporary leave for vaccine-hesitant and unvaccinated employees. In a
confusing time, the solution to the problem seems to be more confusing. Employed Filipino citizens,
who extensively contribute to the country, are coerced to meet a dilemma to save their employment
and keep personal autonomy, which rubs on the issue against mandatory vaccination.

It is in this premise that the researchers came to contemplate how this matter will affect the
willingness of workers to continue working in a workplace under the mandate. Thus, the researchers
proposed to conduct a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 vaccination as a requirement for
employment on the willingness of employees and continue an effective workforce. The target of the
researchers for this study is to know the opinion of workers concerning the mandatory COVID-19
Vaccination, and if this affects the psychological and emotional perception of their work.

References:

Devio, L., & Maghanoy, C. C. (2021, July 30). Unvaccinated could face discrimination, govt

warned. The Manila Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/31/news/national/unvaccinated-could-face-

discrimination-govt-warned/1809132

Solon proposes mandatory COVID-19 jab; prison term for refusal. (2021, September 22).

Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/22/solon-

proposes-mandatory-covid-19-jab-prison-term-for-refusal/
Mercado, N. A. (2021, September 22). Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for eligible Filipinos

pushed in House. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1491340/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-for-eligible-

filipinos-pushed-in-house

Philippines: COVID-19 vaccination not mandatory among employees except workers in the

restaurant industry, labour chief says. (n.d.). Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/philippines-covid-19-vaccination-

not-mandatory-among-employees-except-workers-in-the-restaurant-industry-labour-

chief-says/

Pazzibugan, D. Z. (2021, March 4). Employers can’t fire workers who refuse vaccine – Bello.

INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1402747/labor-chief-employers-cant-fire-workers-who-

refuse-vaccine