Making reference to a local news article in which the leader of Government Business Hon. Andrew A Fahie said he was “Not being cowardly!” regarding allowing employers free reign to implement their own vaccination policies, Attorney Myron Walwyn has lent his voice to the cause.
Attorney Walwyn responded in a recent Facebook post stating, “Much stronger leadership needs to be shown on this issue. In the absence of the Human Rights Commission, Trade Unions, an Equal Opportunity Act and the like, the government has to step up to the plate to deal with this issue. Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated voted. Both groups deserve representation. We cannot leave this matter to the arbitrary actions of employers. This is not the right approach.”
Making reference to the most recent example of employer’s vs employees where Cable & Wireless/Flow and some of its employees have seemingly reached a crossroad on the issue of vaccination. Walwyn had earlier said, “I have long held the view that there are many other things that are important to creating a good quality of life for citizens other than money. Building the necessary institutions in a country that can provide redress for citizens who believe that their rights have been abrogated is extremely important.
At present, some citizens are facing a very difficult time with the issue of mandatory vaccinations and their job security. Where do these citizens go for redress? The issue may be mandatory vaccinations today but some other issue tomorrow. Please completely put aside your views on the issue of vaccinations. My point goes beyond that.”
Lack OF Human Rights Commission Bill
Regarding a Human Rights Commission Bill Walwyn said, “The Human Rights Commission Bill was brought to the House of Assembly by the Attorney General about three times over the last decade and it failed to even make it to the committee stage of the House. Persons facing human rights breaches, whether mandatory vaccinations or otherwise, would have been able to get assistance, guidance and support from the Human Rights Commission.”
He continued, “I did some digging and found the last sitting of the House on this issue in October 2018. It has been three years now since then and nothing has happened. Listen to the contributions being made on this issue. Some of the points raised by some of our leaders were reasonable but I cannot say the same for others. It is high time that the Human Rights Commission is put in place. It is important for investigating, promoting and protecting human rights of all living within the Virgin Islands.”
More to come as the conversations continue.