Michigan bill allows companies to implant microchips in volunteer employees

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – On 24 June, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a controversial bipartisan bill allowing companies to implant a microchip in employees who agree to it, Zero Hedge reports. The stated aim of the bill is to improve business efficiency while protecting employee privacy. Under the bill, only those in agreement can be given a chip and employers cannot make it mandatory. The bill now passes to the state Senate for consideration.

Known as microchips, radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) have entered the market as new technological devices designed to optimize routine business efficiency. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip is implanted into the hand and is used instead of I.D. badges, timecards, usernames and passwords, Zero Hedge reports.

In a press statement, the bill’s sponsor Republican Rep. Bronna Kahle said the proposed legislation aimed to “protect the privacy rights of Michigan workers and promote further growth for job providers as it relates to microchipping – a cutting-edge technology on the rise across the country that increases workplace efficiency.”

“Microchipping has been brought up in many conversations as companies across the country are exploring cost-effective ways to increase workplace efficiency. While these miniature devices are on the rise, so are the calls of workers to have their privacy protected,” Kahle said. “Despite this type of technology not quite making its way into our state yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a standard business practice statewide within the next few years,” she added.

Research shows 90% of Americans are ill at ease with microchip implants, Zero Hedge reports. The reason given for this is primarily that studies have shown a possible link between RFID transponders and cancer in lab animals.

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