Some seven in 10 Dutch employers think they should be able to ask staff if they are vaccinated for coronavirus, according to a survey by employers’ advisory group AWVN.

It is currently illegal for employers to ask workers about their vaccination status, even though customers in some sectors may soon be required to prove theirs. In addition, employers are required by law to provide a safe place to work, the organisation points out.

The AWVN has urged the government to provide clarity about how employers can ‘protect our clients if we are not allowed to know anything about our own staff.’

In addition, the organisation wants the cabinet to look into introducing temporary legislation which would allow employers to ask workers in some sectors about their vaccination status. The biggest Dutch employers’ organisation VNO-NCW has made similar calls.

This is particularly relevant in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as in construction, and in sectors with more acute risks such as healthcare.

Last week, car company Leaseplan said it would only accept fully vaccinated workers back in the office. And on Wednesday, government health advisors said healthcare workers’ vaccination status should be registered, a move supported by home nursing and residential care organisations.