SPC chairman Hussein Rifai doubles down on vaccine mandate with jail claim

The boss of a major Australian company has raised fear of being locked up in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine.

The head of the first company in Australia to mandate the Covid-19 jab among its employees has doubled down on the bold move, fearing he could personally go to jail unless he creates a virus-free workspace.

Hussein Rifai mandated the jab last week, requiring all 500 staff members of the national fruit manufacturer to be fully vaccinated by the end of November.

All staff at SPC sites - including contractors, casuals pemanent staff - must have their first jab booked by September 15 and administered by the end of October.

SPC manufactures in Shepparton and has offices in Essendon Fields as well as Crows Nest in Sydney.

Visitors to any of these locations will also only be allowed entry if they’ve been completely inoculated.

SPC Chairman Hussein Rifai says he is not fazed by backlash after he mandated the Covid-19 vaccine among his employees. Picture: Ryan Osland

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has criticised the move, saying workers weren’t consulted prior to the decision and vaccine mandates should be handled by health authorities instead of employers.

But Mr Rifai told NCA NewsWire he was protecting his staff and the wider community by having all employees vaccinated against coronavirus.

“As a company director I am obliged under Australian law to provide the safest workplace I can for my employees,” he said.

“I could go to jail for industrial manslaughter If I don’t do this.

“I do not need to consult with the union. This is a business decision and I own the business, not the unions – I am the one who is liable.”

About 23.5 per cent of eligible Aussies aged above 16 have been fully vaccinated so far. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Mr Rifai said workers with pre-existing conditions who were unable to receive the vaccine would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“The Delta variant poses a significant threat to our people, our customers and the communities we serve – the only path forward for our country is through vaccination,” he said.

“As a company we believe it is the right thing to do and we must go further to minimise risk and to protect the people we care about from the Delta variant.”

On top of criticism from the unions, Mr Rifai said he had also received backlash from anti-vaxxers, with some threatening to sabotage SPC products.

“It’s racist, it’s personal, nasty, it’s name calling, it’s everything but intelligence,” he said.

“You’re damned if you do and damned if you don't but my aim is straight forward here, to protect my staff, my customers and the community I’m in.”

Fair Work Australia said there were limited circumstances where an employer could mandate workers to be vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

Fair Work Australia said there were limited circumstances where an employer could mandate workers to be vaccinated.

Those circumstances included whether a specific law required an employee to be vaccinated and whether an enterprise agreement or employment contract included a provision about requiring vaccinations.

Australia’s vaccine rollout has ramped up in the past two months after the Delta variant sparked outbreaks and lockdowns across the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said states would move towards returning to normal when 70 per cent of eligible residents were fully vaccinated.

Once 80 per cent of eligible residents are vaccinated, that should spell an end to most lockdowns.

About 23.5 per cent of eligible Australians aged 16 and over have been fully vaccinated.