Ministry of Economy and Industry | Directorate General of Labor

ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT 2021

Unique Challenges in 2021 Covid

During 2021, the Commissioner's Unit contended with new challenges relating to the Covid pandemic. Throughout the year, the Commissioner's Unit continued providing a response to difficulties raised by foreign workers as the result of the Covid pandemic, by handling queries and ongoing public relations and explanatory activity. In addition to the continued handling of queries on issues such as isolation andmedical treatment, the Unit also contended this year with the need to provide a response and explanations regarding Covid vaccinations and the 'Green Pass'. Workers' queries – similar to2020,many querieswere received this year about isolation, however together with the beginning of the vaccination campaigns, large numbers of queries began to be submitted about eligibility for vaccinations and the issuing of 'Green Passes'. The subject of vaccinations is not under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner's Unit however, each query was nevertheless answered. The replies given on the subject of vaccinations and the issuing of 'Green Passes' were referred to the Ministry of Health's website and its instructions for foreign workers. Because these queries did not require monitoring by the Commissioner and are not under her jurisdiction, approximately 240 of them were not registered on the Unit's queries system and are not reflected in the general number of queries received. Public education activity: together with the beginning of the vaccinations campaign, the Unit began publishing Facebook posts that refer queries toMinistry of Health instructions about immunization, sharing posts on clinics that offer vaccinations even for people without medical insurance, the ways of issuing a 'Green Pass' etc.

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