The General Union of Workers (UGT) has denounced serious deficiencies in the Residence for the Elderly of Formentera, after the Labor Inspectorate confirmed a series of breaches in safety, occupational health and staff organization. The union demands political and management responsibilities, as well as the immediate correction of the misapplied schedules and the evaluation pending since September.
“The priority must always be the users and the welfare of the staff, never the budget,” the union stressed in a statement.
Deficiencies detected by the Inspection
The visit of the Labor Inspectorate, carried out on October 14, has revealed very serious failures at the center, including:
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Emergency doors closed, not complying with safety regulations.
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Expired fire extinguishers, without revision since October 2024.
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Deficiencies in health surveillance, preventive training and occupational risk planning.
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Problems in the organization of personnel and shifts, which affect the quality of care.
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Lack of psychosocial risk assessment.
UGT considers that these findings confirm the repeated complaints of the workers, who warned of a lack of qualified personnel, internal disorganization and risks for both users and staff.
Poorly applied schedules and pending evaluation
According to the union, the change in schedules imposed by the center’s management has been applied incorrectly, generating labor tensions and affecting the care of the elderly. UGT denounces that an evaluation of the service’s performance has been pending since September and demands that it be carried out immediately “with clear criteria and staff participation”.
In addition, the union demands the correction of schedules, the guarantee of sufficient personnel on all shifts, the urgent application of the safety measures indicated by the Inspectorate and the purging of political and personal responsibilities.
An incident that aggravates the concern
The situation has become particularly relevant following the escape of a user who left the residence unsupervised. UGT describes this as “absolute negligence” and demands immediate consequences. This episode has led the Consell Insular de Formentera to announce the implementation of telematic monitoring bracelets to reinforce the safety of residents at higher risk.
According to the institution, this is a preventive measure included in the updated security protocols, aimed at “protecting users and offering peace of mind to families”.
Response of the Consell and the PSIB-PSOE
The Consell de Formentera has assured that the care for the elderly is running normally, with shifts covered and qualified staff, and thanked the dedication of the professional team. It also informed of the opening of three selection processes to cover recent sick leave and the search for support personnel in emergency situations.
However, the PSIB-PSOE of Formentera has demanded public explanations and the urgent convening of the Council of Participation of the residence, so that the councilor of Social Welfare can report on the facts and the measures taken.
The socialist group denounces persistent labor conflicts, lack of qualified personnel and practices that do not respect the rhythms of the elderly, such as “getting elderly users up at six in the morning to take a shower”. It also considers it “unacceptable“ that the center does not have its own nurse and relies on an external service limited to three hours a day.
Shared demands
The PSIB-PSOE demands an urgent staffing plan, the revision of schedules and routines, and an external evaluation of the service to ensure compliance with the regulations and ratios of care. In the same vein, UGT insists that the absolute priority must be the dignity, safety and health of residents and staff, calling for a change in the management of the residence.
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