The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday warned the Federal Government against forcing workers to get vaccinated.
NLC President Ayuba Wabba gave this charge during a briefing on COVID-19 vaccination advisory for Federal Civil Servants in Abuja on Monday.
Earlier, Boss Mustapha-led Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on October 13, 2021, announced that Federal Government workers without proof of COVID-19 vaccination or result of a test done within 72 hours will be denied access to their offices starting from December 1, 2021.
The labour leader, however, urged the Federal Government to employ the use of persuasion and conviction rather than force.
“The truth is that despite being imperfect, the COVID-19 vaccine has given all of us a better chance of fighting the virus and staying alive,” he said.
“I urge workers all over the world to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the corona pandemic.
“We urge the government and other employers of labour to make special arrangements for workers to access the vaccine at the workplace.
“We urge that the tool of persuasion and conviction be used rather than force to get workers and the general populace to take the vaccine.’