the strike called for this Monday by Associação Raríssimas has 100% participation,but minimal services are being provided,a union source showed during a meeting of workers at the institute,in Moita,setúbal area.
About 30 workers from Raríssimas, the National Association for Mental and Rare Disabilities joined the strike next Monday at the institution, in protest against the delay in the retroactive payment of bonuses and holiday bonuses.
Raríssimas workers are on a 24-hour strike called by the Portuguese Union of Commercial,Office and Service Workers (CESP),to demand regularization of debts and to denounce the deterioration of the institution’s financial situation.
Associação Raríssimas is a Private Social Solidarity Institute (IPSS) covered by the sector’s Collective Labor Agreement, but, according to CESP, it has not updated salaries in line with the current salary tables for seven years.
“The management does not pay us holiday bonuses and they tell us they have no plans to pay. I am in arrears with my holiday bonus and, in a few days, everything points to my Christmas bonus being in arrears as well. In addition, I am working as a second-rate assistant, but receiving my salary as a third-rate assistant”, said Sílvia Santos, direct action assistant at Raríssimas, to the Lusa agency for about three years.
According to the representative of the union Helena Caldeira, last November “the management of Raríssimas informed workers that the institution has a monthly loss of 30 thousand euros, but they did not reveal the global amount of the debt”.
“We hope that Social Security can definitely help the institution through the relief fund as we are worried about the future of the institution, our future, becuase we work with vulnerable users, who are wholly dependent on us, some of whom have no family of them. depending on the institution”, said Assunção Jerônimo, who was a union delegate and Direct Action assistant at Raríssimas, for about 11 years.
He also said that Raríssimas currently has around 100 workers who provide care to dozens of people with rare diseases in the different areas of the institution, especially in the Residential House, with 22 users, and the Day center, which is also good for home users.more get 10 to 20 external users.
Assunção Jerônimo also said that workers beleive that much of the institute’s financial problems are caused by “bad management” and “lack of support”, following the controversy created by the TVI report in 2017.
In a TVI report, Paula Brito e Costa, the president of the times at the time, accused Raríssimas, who later resigned, of using the institute’s money for personal expenses, a controversy that led to the withdrawal of some support for the institution has benefited from them in the past.scope of Patronage law.
Interview with Assunção Jerônimo: Insights on the Raríssimas Strike and the State of Social Care in Portugal
In light of the recent strike by Associação Raríssimas, we speak with Assunção Jerônimo, a long-time Direct Action assistant and union delegate at Raríssimas. He sheds light on the implications of the strike, the financial struggles faced by the institution, and the broader context of social care in Portugal.
Q: Assunção,thank you for joining us. Can you tell us about the current situation at Raríssimas and the reasons behind the strike?
A: Thank you for having me. The strike initiated by our union, CESP, has seen 100% participation from our dedicated workers at Associação Raríssimas. It is primarily about the non-payment of holiday bonuses and retroactive bonuses that have not been addressed for years. We also aim to highlight Raríssimas’ deteriorating financial situation, which includes alarming monthly losses of around €30,000.
Q: That’s quite concerning. What impacts do you beleive these financial issues have on the patients who rely on Raríssimas for care?
A: The implications are significant. We provide essential support to vulnerable individuals who depend entirely on our services. With approximately 100 workers caring for dozens of people with rare diseases, any cutback or delay in our resources affects not just our staff but also those we care for, many of whom do not have family support. We are deeply worried about the future of the institution and, consequently, the future of our users.
Q: You’ve mentioned “bad management” as a factor in Raríssimas’ financial troubles. Can you elaborate on this?
A: Certainly. Many employees believe that previous mismanagement substantially contributed to our current predicament. A notable incident was the controversy from a 2017 TVI report where the former president was accused of misusing institutional funds. This resulted in a considerable withdrawal of support that Raríssimas had previously depended on, further compounding our financial issues.
Q: In light of these challenges, what steps are you advocating for to secure Raríssimas’ future?
A: we are hopeful for intervention from Social Security through a relief fund to stabilize our institution. Moreover, ensuring that salaries are updated in accordance with current salary tables is crucial. Our dedicated workers deserve fair compensation for the critical work we provide, especially given the increasing demands on our services.
Q: For readers concerned about the situation, what practical advice can you offer for supporting institutions like Raríssimas?
A: Raising awareness is vital. Readers can support us by advocating for better funding for social care institutions and pushing for accountability in management practices. Engaging with local representatives about the needs of vulnerable populations and the institutions that serve them can help bring about necessary changes. Also, donations, weather financial or in-kind, can make a significant difference.
Q: Thank you, Assunção. what is your hope for the future of Associação Raríssimas amid these challenges?
A: My hope is that we can address the financial difficulties through solidarity and support from the community and the government. It’s imperative that Raríssimas continues to provide quality care to our users without disruption. we believe that with the right support, we can overcome these challenges and secure a better future for both our workers and the individuals we serve.
This interview highlights the critical issues surrounding the strike at Associação Raríssimas, reflecting on the financial strain faced by social care institutions in Portugal and emphasizing the importance of community support.