By Admin. Updated 7:00 p.m., Monday, 13th March 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A lecturer who lost his job for not adhering to the Statutory Rules and Orders No. 28 of 2021, known as the vaccine mandate, says the judge’s ruling is “God answering our prayers.”
Today (March 13) Justice Esco Henry handed down a judgement in the High Court declaring the S. R. &O. No. 28 of 2021:- 19th November 2021 Public Health (Public Bodies Special Measures) Rules, 2021 “unconstitutional and void. “
The judge said public servants never ceased to hold office and they are entitled to full benefits.
A lecturer who was affected by the requirement – Mr. Shefflorn Ballantyne told One News SVG today that the judgment is a “fitting rebuke to a condemned government whose unscientific mandate placed us in much suffering.”
Hundreds of public sector workers who were declared front-line workers, during the Covid-19 pandemic and were required to take a Covid-19 vaccine to continue working, lost their jobs.
Some, after re-application, successfully regained their jobs, but others who were adamant that they were not taking the vaccine have been without employment since November 2021.
In the interview with One News SVG today, Mr. Ballantyne, who was a party to the case brought against the government said: “This is God answering our prayers. It is a victory for God-given and constitutionally protected liberty of conscience. It is a blow to tyranny.”
“According to this ruling, I am still lecturer of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College and I look forward to receiving what is owed to me.”
Ballantyne said: “The judge basically told this wicked government that its insane vaccine mandate was unlawful and unconstitutional and thus void. She quashed all letters issued to us under the mandate and declared that we never abandoned our duties and therefore are still employed by the state.”
It is likely that the government will appeal the decision.
We will bring more on this story.
One News St.Vincent 