JAAF says over 70% of apparel workforce has received both jabs

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday said, as at September 9, over 90 percent of the workers at the factories have been vaccinated with one dose, with over 70 percent of the workforce receiving both doses.

It also said that at the current pace of vaccination, it anticipates that the entire workforce would have received both their doses by end-September 2021.

The JAAF member companies are also ensuring that the companies involved in the supply chain and service providers such as cafeteria services, security personnel and those who transport workers and material to and from the factories are vaccinated as well. 

“Many companies have already begun this process and hope to complete vaccinating all such personnel very soon,” a JAAF statement said.

It also noted that social distancing and other safety protocols mandated by the Health Ministry continue to be strictly monitored and implemented. 

Many factories have created safe and secure environments for workers – isolated to teams – to reduce the risk of spread. 

Since the outbreak of the pandemic early last year, the JAAF members have been complying with the testing requirements and standards in strict accordance with the Health Ministry requirements. 

Factories are also ensuring the ventilation systems are appropriately effective and fully functional.

Meanwhile, the statement noted that JAAF is exploring, in coordination with the public health authorities, the ways of increasing protection for the communities where the factories and facilities are located in. The next step will be exploring how workers’ families can be vaccinated rapidly, JAAF added.

In addition, factories are conducting continuous awareness programmes to keep workers informed of the current situation and the latest developments.