jpnn.com, BRUSSELS - A crowd of more than 4,000 health workers in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday (7/12), staged a protest against the federal government's decision that all medical staff must undergo vaccination.
Health workers who refuse to be injected with vaccines will be fined and possibly suspended. The crowd denounced mandatory vaccination as "discrimination" and an "unproductive" measure.
ALSO SEE: China Issues Limited Circulation Permit for Antibody Drugs
Some of the demonstration placards read "we need more common sense" and "let's save our health care system instead of dismissing staff".
"Everyone has the right to choose, but the threats of dismissal hanging over the staff are unacceptable. We are already short-staffed. If we're laid off, it will be a disaster and people will be even less motivated to enter this profession," said a hospital employee in the province of Liege, Raphael Meys.
ALSO SEE: Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan, Favors China
On November 19, the federal government passed a law on mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers.
As of January 1, 2022, care staff will be given three months to be injected with the vaccine.
ALSO SEE: Better.com Boss Apologizes After Firing 900 People Through Zoom
As of April 1, if the decision is not implemented, the visa or staff registration number will be revoked and they may therefore be terminated.
Organizers of the union front have held a meeting with Health Minister Franck Vandenbroucke's chief of staff, and another meeting is scheduled for next week. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Bukannya Rawat Pasien, 4000 Nakes Malah Demo Tolak Vaksin