The majority of MPs are in favor of allowing employers to show employees a Covid passport at work, according to a survey by Yle’s lawmakers.
Under current regulations, a bar or restaurant can ask a customer for a Covid Passport, but cannot, for example, ask a waiter who serves him.
The public health authority THL had hoped that the widespread use of the Covid pass would encourage more people to get vaccinated, and the government has said the matter is being discussed with social partners. This year, however, no concrete decisions are expected.
Yle’s survey was answered by a total of 122 MPs, of whom 70 said they were in favor of the change and 33 against. About 19 MPs did not want to reveal their position.
The results showed that the matter is deeply divided between the parties, especially on the opposition bench.
The main opposition parties, the Coalition Party (NKP) and the Basic Finns, are at opposite ends, and NCP MPs said the right of employers to apply for a Covid passport would be a good way to keep businesses running. and employees healthy.
However, basic Finnish MPs strongly oppose the possible introduction of the measure, and only one of the basic Finns expressed support. Other party members said they were concerned that such a law would divide workers into two camps: vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
Strongest support from NCP MPs
Overall, the strongest support for extending the use of the Covid Passport to workplaces came from the NCP, and party members questioned why the government delayed the introduction of the passport in the spring of 2021.
MP Ben Zyskowicz (NCP) pointed out that employers have a responsibility to protect the health of their employees.
"How can an employer handle a case if he or she does not have the right to be informed about the vaccination status of workers and does not have the right to apply for a Covid Passport?" Zyskowicz said.
Support for the use of passports in the workplace was also widespread among the center of the government coalition partner, Member of Parliament Hannu Hoskonen (Cen) said that Finland could learn from Italy’s example.
"Nobody wants Finland to be closed again. People need services. I donโt understand why we have to take the risk of losing a life or a job." Hoskonen said.
Among the Social Democratic Party led by the Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the majority supported the proposal, but there were also skeptics who were concerned about the growing power of employers.
MP Niina Malm (SDP) said it would first like to find out whether the introduction of the Covid Passport in the workplace would lead to greater employer access to employee health information.
"The employee’s concerns should be taken into account in the preparation. This should not give the employer the opportunity to ask almost anything related to health," Malm said.
Labor organizations also disagree on Covid workplace passports.
Finland’s largest blue-collar association SAK has equated the requirement for a Covid passport with mandatory vaccinations and asked for further information, while the Akava trade union and the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, which represents employers, support the Covid passport. at work.
Basic Finns are strongly opposed
According to basic Finns who responded to Yle’s survey, Covid vaccinations are voluntary and therefore passports should be included.
Member of Parliament for Basic Finns Juho Eerola said he was worried about signals being sent if an employer could start requiring employees to have a Covid passport at work.
"I do not support totalitarianism and no signs of it. In addition, many jobs are lost without an employee," he said.
Opposition Christian Democrats were also concerned about extending the Covid Passport to workplaces as party chairman. Sari Essayah doubted whether such a measure would be constitutional.
"Restricting the right to work with a Covid passport will certainly lead to constitutional problems," Essayah said.
Source: The Nordic Page