Sasol staff will not be forced to pay for Covid-19 testing

5 August 2021

Solidarity today announced that staff at Sasol’s Secunda plant would no longer be forced to pay for Covid-19 tests themselves. This comes after Solidarity and Sasol earlier today had a meeting about the matter.

“We are pleased that after robust negotiations Sasol agreed to carry the costs of all Sasol staff members’ Covid-19 testing,” Riaan Visser, Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for mining, agriculture and the chemical industry said.

According to Solidarity many people are still unsure about vaccination and this uncertainty must be respected.

“Discrimination is unacceptable as far as vaccination is concerned and it will add to the hesitation that exists about it. At the same time it will also reduce the effectiveness of any vaccination programme,” Visser stated.

Solidarity further contends that it cannot be expected of employees to bear the brunt of the state’s inefficiency with the vaccination programme.

“Although some people are still not sure about their decision regarding vaccination, there are also many who would like to be vaccinated, but simply cannot do so because of the slow progress of the government’s vaccination programme. Obviously, they should not pay the price for a government that has dragged its feet with the vaccination process,” Visser said.

Solidarity also emphasised its support for vaccinations and explained that although it should be every person’s own decision, the organisation still recommends that those who can, should be vaccinated.

“Research, including that of Solidarity’s Research Institute, shows that vaccinations are effective and safe. Therefore, we encourage vaccination. However, this must always be done on a voluntary basis and employers cannot attempt to impose unreasonable negative requirements on their employees if they decide against it or have not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated,” Visser concluded.

Statement issued by Riaan Visser, Solidarity Deputy General Secretary: Mining, Agriculture and Chemical, 5 August 2021