A Midlothian restaurant owner has explained why he won't be hiring staff without the Covid vaccine as he hopes to encourage people within the BAME community to get the vaccine.
Habibur Khan, who runs The Radhuni in Loanhead, is refusing to take on any staff who do not agree to have the vaccine to help boost uptake within the BAME community.
The policy, which will also be in force at its sister restaurant Itihaas in Dalkeith, would only affect staff being hired in the business's next recruitment stages and would not include those who haven't had the vaccine for medical reasons, Habibur clarified.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: "A large proportion of our staff are from the BAME community where, with all the propaganda and fake news going around, some people are very skeptical about taking the Covid vaccine.
"I wouldn't fire any staff who already work for me who haven't had the jab, it's much more about educating them and the BAME community that it's safe, so they will let other people know.
"As a way to support this, to keep our loved ones and our community safe, I wanted to take a strong line on this and have decided not to employ anyone who won't take the vaccine, unless it's for medical reasons.
"It's also for our customers and the wider community who are our top priority and we want to help stop the virus spreading."
"All my staff are very secure and happy about the decision because it also gives them a security to work in an environment that's safe", he added.
Habibur's 120-seat Indian-Bangladeshi restaurant Radhuni was named best restaurant in Scotland at the British Curry Awards, making him the youngest ever winner at 23-years-old, while the restaurant was previously was named among Britain’s top 100 curry houses.
"I know there are rumours out there but I want people to know some of my elderly loved ones have had the vaccine and haven't suffered from any side effects outwith the usual.
"I just want people in my community to take the vaccine as soon as they get the chance, it's important we all tackle this together. Especially with everything opening back up, everyone will be in closer contact as we return to normality", Habibur said.
He continued: "It's also to help prevent Covid outbreaks in our workplace, every little helps.
"I'm hoping other businesses in the industry will follow our example to encourage uptake to keep our community safe as possible."
