WeeklySA_AdminUNFAIR:People’s rights will be trampled
By Thuli Zungu
Is a jab incentive drive a new form of the violation of Consumer Rights and other human rights as enshrined in the South African Constitution?
Consumer Eye investigations show that consumers are divided on this topic. A majority of consumers claim that the COVID 19 pandemic had prompted a number of companies to make decisions that might soon ricochet.
Some say their right of choice and to information had been trampled upon and were unable to make an informed decision about their health while others accused companies that were offering freebies, of discriminating against those who had not been vaccinated.
Last month, insurance company, Discovery, said they would be offering cheap premiums to those who can provide proof that they had been vaccinated.
They confirmed that any client applying for a new policy would have their vaccination status taken into account, and would also qualify for 100% cash back in premiums at the first anniversary of their new policy.
Reacting to this incentive, Nombuso Molekoa, 45, of Midrand, said it was unfair to compel consumers to disclose their vaccination status in order to qualify for an insurance cover.
“I think this is trampling on consumers’ rights to decide.” She said the Consumer Protection Act also stated that suppliers were not permitted to prioritise any consumer groups over others when marketing, selling or distributing their goods and services. Siphamandla Nkosi, 52, a gym fanatic said this was not discriminatory as it promoted wellness and a healthy living style.
“Wellness incentives encourage smokers to quit, promotes those obese to lose weight and offer low premiums and gym contracts like Discovery does.” He was paying a lower premium on his insurance cover compared to his counterparts who were smoking and not going to the gym.
Wimpy will soon be offering filtered coffee now that the youth would be vaccinated soon. To claim the incentive, they have to produce proof.
Wimpy reportedly said : “Now that vaccines are being administered to citizens aged 35 years and over, Wimpy is hoping to create enthusiasm to curb the virus. If you’re helping South Africa overcome this pandemic by receiving your COVID- 19 vaccine, come and enjoy every moment and have a coffee on us.”
Sfiso Miya, 35, of Chesterville in KwaZulu-Natal said Wimpy can keep their coffee as he has the right to privacy and was not obliged to disclose his status for something he can enjoy at home.
“I can whip myself a cup of coffee instead of travelling miles away since our malls are far.”
Game has also joined the bandwagon and is offering a 10% discount to people who have been vaccinated between the 18 August to September 15.
Nomvula Hadebe, 73, of Jabulani, Soweto, who has been vaccinated, said they did not even have malls in the neighbourhood and she missed the incentive after taking her second jab in July. “Discounts are historic, nothing new.”
Dolly Ngwenya, 50, whose friend died of Covid -19 complications a few weeks after taking the jab said consumers must be fully informed about the products they buy or those that are free.
“Every medication has an insert to advise us about the indication, contra-indications and its side effects.” Smangele Mthimkhulu, 44, of Emndeni in Soweto said there should be transparency about what consumers are encouraged to take and added that the Constitution recognized healthcare as a fundamental human right, but questioned the non-transparency around the vaccine’s composition and side-effects.
She said consumers had the right to information in order to make an informed decision and not many people are informed or brave enough to ask for this information. “Every medication has an insert telling us what are the ingredients, the indication, contra-indications and side effects of this vaccine.”
Recently Bloomberg reported that all McDonalds employees in the UK must return to work with proof of vaccination and it is not known if those who did not vaccinate would be fired when the corporate opens its offices on September 27.
Globally, companies are disparately offering freebies just to have citizens vaccinated. Offers ranged from a doughnut, a glass to beer and scholarships.
