​PETALING JAYA: MEF has urged employers to support the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) and thanked the government for its comprehensive policies and plans to reduce the number of infections with a view towards achieving zero cases in the near future.

Following the launching of the NIP by the Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin in Putrajaya, MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P. urged all employers to support and cooperate with the responsible agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the NIP.

“The government has clearly laid out its roadmap in the NIP Handbook. As employers, we eagerly anticipate its swift and orderly implementation with the hope that our country and our economy could finally be on the road to full recovery,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain. 

Notwithstanding this,  the MEF President also raised concerns over some of the challenges that employers may face during the deployment stage of the immunisation programme. 

“The main challenge of employers would be to release their staff and to ensure that all efforts are being made to vaccinate employees, including the foreign workers,” he said. 

“The Covid-19 spreads indiscriminately, and therefore it is important to ensure that employees and foreign workers are treated equally, and that no one is being left out.” 

It is understood that the first consignment of Covid-19 vaccines is expected to be received by the government on Feb 21, and to be subsequently deployed on Feb 26.  

“However, it must be pointed out that winning the fight against Covid-19 is not about the vaccine alone. The employees, employers and the rakyat have critical roles to ensure that the SOPs, such as using face masks and practising physical distancing are adhered to strictly  throughout the NIP to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19,” he added. 

For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email mef-hq@mef.org.my.  

17 FEBRUARY 2021