​PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has expressed its strong commitment to support the government’s National Immunisation Programme (NIP) by encouraging private sector employees to be inoculated against Covid-19.

MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain J.P., in responding to recent calls by the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Y.B. En. Khairy Jamaluddin to increase Covid-19 vaccine registrations, said the MEF would be able to make significant contributions to support the NIP through its membership base. 

“The fight against Covid-19 could only be won through concerted effort and employers, who are major stakeholders in the economy, have an important role in the government’s effort to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19,” he said.

“MEF would be able to make significant contributions to this cause as the Federation is made of about 6,200 individual companies and 28 associations that employ about three million employees.”

Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain said employers could encourage their employees to be vaccinated by giving paid time-off for symptomatic employees, vaccination appointments and paid sick leave for those who experience side effects.

“Employers could also provide special leave to employees to take their families or parents for vaccination. 

“And for those still unsure of taking the vaccine, employers are able to educate them by inviting medical specialists for staff briefing. 

“The employees would then be able to educate their extended families and the multiplier effect would support the herd immunity expansion and vaccine registration.” 

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

31 MARCH 2021