BHP's compulsory vaccination policy will be in place from tomorrow, with possibly hundreds of workers who have not provided BHP with their vaccination status to be denied entry to BHP coal mines and lose their jobs, the Mining and Energy Union said today.
The Fair Work Commission last week rejected a challenge to the vaccination mandate in BHP's Queensland coal mines by the Mining and Energy Union, finding the policy was lawful and reasonable in line with an earlier decision relating to BHP's Mt Arthur mine in NSW.
MEU Queensland President Stephen Smyth said the Union has urged BHP to extend the deadline but the company, which employs 11,000 workers across its Queensland coal mines has refused.
"Our position is clear. There is no public health order in Queensland requiring compulsory vaccination for mineworkers and we don't believe mining companies should impose them unilaterally.
"It's heavy-handed when there is a broad range of measures needed to control the spread of Covid in workplaces, including social distancing, testing, PPE and hygiene. Unfortunately, many of these measures have fallen by the wayside and the regulator is not enforcing them.
"We have encouraged our members to get vaccinated and discuss any medical concerns with their doctor. But mineworkers should not lose their jobs if they are not ready to get vaccinated or don't want to share their vaccination status with BHP."
Mr Smyth said BHP's policy covered all direct employees and contractors on BHP sites. He warned that with the FWC unfortunately backing BHP's right to impose the mandatory vaccination policy, legal options to challenge sackings will be very limited.
"We disagree with BHP's policy and we have challenged it in court, but the court has ruled that it is lawful. That is the current situation whether we like it or not. We will support any members who are stood down and possibly terminated but reinstatement is unlikely for workers who receive a 'show cause' letter and don't comply with the site access requirement to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as determined by the FWC."
