Vaccines: The regions take action and workers and companies respond
The unstoppable spread of the pandemic and the need to provide solutions for it is strongly felt in some sectors. One of these is tourism – because vaccines mean ensuring a safer holiday. Look at Greece, for example, with its Covid-free islands. Because the priority (for all tourism-oriented countries, such as Italy) is to salvage the next summer season and enable operators in the sector to work, thanks also to vaccinations.
Priority among categories of workers should also be given to those who assemble plant in the metalworking sector: vaccines would significantly reduce the risks associated with working away. Hence the repeated invitation of the president of Confindustria Carlo Bonomi to make workplaces available for vaccinations. Consider the industrial districts.
In the wake of the emergency and the necessary safeguarding of jobs for the long-awaited post-Covid economic recovery, the Regions are developing protocols, some of which are ready for finalising, as is the case in Friuli, Venezia Giulia and Veneto.
Lombardy is also working towards programmed intervention, led by the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. In Brescia 184 companies have put themselves forward. Confindustria is working to engage the co-operation of three parties: the Minister of Health. Roberto Speranza, the Region and the association of competent company doctors.
These good intentions, however, are countered by several critical issues. Some vaccines must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures (read Pfizer and Moderna). Plus there is the aggravating circumstance that in companies the vaccines will be destined for “level 6” workers (adults who do not belong to particular risk categories). Furthermore, large companies will certainly be involved in the process, but SMEs less so.
So even if the Regions are taking action, the evaluation by General Figliuolo, the new commissioner of the Draghi government for the Covid emergency, promises to be decisive. Certainly, the shortage of health personnel does not make things easier. In this respect, we look with confidence to the competent company doctors.
The workers for their part, speaking through the representatives of the main trade unions, say they are ready to lend their arm.
