One cabinet member is requiring employees to get booster shots and has actually sent employees home because they haven’t been boosted.
Further he has threatened the employees with suspension for two weeks and not pay them until they get the shots.
This despite the Chairman of the Covid-19 Task Force, Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale making it clear at last week’s press conference that there’s no such mandate for Booster shots for ASG employees.
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KHJ News has copies of emails from Director of Agriculture Solia Mutini telling employees they need to provide the office with proof of their booster shot. “No booster warrants suspension for two weeks,” he wants.
Another email said, “You have decided not to comply with my directive to get your booster shot today therefore you are not allowed to return to work until your booster shot is completed.”
Employees who showed up this week and had not received their booster shots were sent home and were told not to return until they got the shot. In the meantime they will not be paid.
KHJ News sent questions to the DOA Director but he has not responded.
We have requested that he cite the authority upon which he has ordered his employees to get their booster shots.
After the first email by the Director went out March 2 we asked The Task Force Chairman, Lt Governor Talauega for a response.
He said “assuming the email is authentic” that it is “probably a misunderstanding.”
He said his answer from the oress conference remains. “We are not mandating boosters for ASG employees at this time but we strongly recommend it for all eligible residents not just ASG employees. When this changes we will certainly alert everyone.”
However even after Talauega made it clear in the press conference that there was no such mandate for boosters, the Agriculture Director was still requiring employees to get their shots and subsequently sent them ho e until they do, with the threat of no pay in the meantime.
