MP for Murray Helen Dalton says her office has been inundated with calls from regional businesses and employees unsure who is allowed to work as of this week.
“It’s extremely frustrating to us that the NSW Government have failed to communicate clear instructions for businesses and employees from Monday October 11,” Mrs Dalton said
“I’m in the same boat as everyone else.
“The NSW Government can’t even tell me which of my own electorate office staff are allowed to work.
“The (now-ex) Deputy Premier told me in a meeting last week that all staff in regional NSW would need to be fully vaccinated to attend their workplace from October 11 to December 1.
“I raised my concern about this, because many people in regional NSW haven’t had the chance to be fully vaccinated, due to a lack of supply.”
Mrs Dalton said that the NSW Government then changed their stance with staff in regional NSW being able to work from October 11 if they had at least one dose and a booking for a second dose, however there was no explicit Public Health Order telling regional businesses they had to stand down unvaccinated employees.
“We also don’t know about any financial compensation for employees who can’t work, or businesses who can’t operate without unvaccinated employees,” Mrs Dalton said.
“In many cases, it’s not the employee’s fault if they’re not vaccinated.
“When my 19-year-old staffer Alice Ryan first became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, she was told there were no appointments available until late October – what’s happening is simply unfair.”
Mrs Dalton said she has asked for urgent clarification from both Service NSW and the NSW Health Minister, and is yet to receive a response.
