PUTRAJAYA: The Public-Private Partnership COVID-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS) led by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has received the registration of 669,846 workers from 4,537 companies across Malaysia as of 27th June 2021.
MITI in its statement said, PIKAS aims to support the acceleration of vaccination for approximately two million workers in the manufacturing sector by end of the third quarter for the year.
In relation to PIKAS, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali visited the Vaccination Administration Centre (PPV) under PIKAS at Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC) which has begun the vaccination process for manufacturing workers in Selangor today.
PPV PIKAS at SCCC is one of the eight Common PPV PIKAS nationwide that has been approved to begin operations latest by 5th July 2021.
There are two types of PPV under PIKAS – Common PPV and On-Site PPV. The former is the use of convention and exhibition centres as well as hotels as a PPV while the latter refers to PPV established on-site by a company at the factory’s premise.
“The site visit today by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin was to observe the vaccination process at the PPV PIKAS in SCCC and to ensure the process remains smooth,” the statement added.
PIKAS is a public-private partnership vaccination program launched as Phase 4 of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to help expedite vaccination for the Malaysian public, where PIKAS focuses on the work force in critical manufacturing sectors.
The programme was initiated following calls from industry associations, chambers of commerce and Small and Medium Enterprises to accelerate the vaccination for workers in the manufacturing sector to ensure workers remain and feel safe at work against the threat of COVID-19.
Under PIKAS, the Government will provide free vaccines, while the private sector will manage the administration of the PPV including engaging the services of private medical practitioners.
While employers are to bear the administration costs for the vaccination of their employees, employers are not allowed to transfer the costs to employees via deduction of wages, even if the employees no longer serve with the company after the first dose of vaccination.
While PIKAS is ongoing, the Government remains committed to ensuring vaccination under PICK for the vulnerable groups remains an immediate priority. Manufacturers keen to participate in PIKAS can get more infomation on the programme via www.miti.gov.my. – Malaysia World News
