The situation at the OAPs Residence in Calasparra has reached crisis point as neither the workers nor the suppliers have been paid for three months and the finances of the current management are under judicial embargo.
Following problems of “poor management” at the centre, which both the workers and the local authority claim date back to 2009, the current management contract was rescinded by a full meeting of the Town Hall. Now the acting Mayor, Jesus Navarro, says the Town Hall will take over the management of the residence on either a temporary or permanent basis.
But the situation for the workers is at crisis point, according to their spokesperson, Jodi Sanchez, who is calling on the Town Hall to find an immediate solution to the problem.
“We are going to work but we are not being paid and we can´t go on strike or take any action because we are dealing with very dependent people, most of whom have no family locally.”
The company which manages the residence also has the management contract for a residence for mentally ill people in Jumilla and, according to Jesus Navarro, the “bad management” of this centre has resulted in a judicial embargo of the company’s finances. One of the consequences of this embargo is that the three months wages owed to the workers has been frozen.
“No-one is getting paid,” says Jodi Sanchez, “Neither the workers or the suppliers. The residents have their basic needs covered but, for example, the air conditioning is not working and the weather is getting hotter. We are facing having our supplies and services cut off and this will affect the very vulnerable residents.”
For his part the acting Mayor says he believes the salaries for March will be paid this week as he is currently negotiating with the Judicial Assessor responsible for the embargo of the management company’s funds.
“We have rescinded the company´s contract and legally they have two months in which to “return” the residence to us. But they can return it voluntarily within a month and then the Town Hall can take over the reins immediately and the situation of the workers will be resolved. However, I am confident that funds will be unblocked and the workers´wages for March will be paid within a few days,” he said.
“The Town Hall will consider taking over the management of the residence permanently or putting the management out to tender in order that a charity or non profit making association can take over its management,” he said.
In the meantime the workers, many of whom who have children to support and bills and mortgages to pay are facing at least another month of uncertainty.
“What are we supposed to do during this transition period which could go on for another two months?” asks the spokesperson. “The situation is extremely grave. We are doing our best to continue caring for these very vulnerable people without being paid and without resources. “
Workers at the OAPs Residence in Calas
