A group of parents of pupils who use the APRONA transport escort service in Manilva has submitted a written complaint to the Town Hall’s registry office, expressing deep concern over the dismissal of a worker. According to the families, the dismissal is a consequence of the new political pact and the changes in the municipal governing team, and could directly affect the stability and care of their children with disabilities, who do not understand political acronyms.
In the letter, addressed to the Mayor of Manilva and the Councillor for Social Affairs, the parents acknowledge the impeccable work the Town Hall has carried out to date in providing this service, attending to the pupils’ needs with «total professionalism» and taking care of each user’s individual circumstances day by day.
The families’ main concern is that this political change should mean the dismissal of the worker currently assigned to the service. They argue that this would be «detrimental» to their children, who need «a great deal of stability and to know personally who assists them every day». The parents highlight the valuable experience of the support worker who has been in charge of this role in the provision of social services, noting that she has been able to adapt easily to each of the people with special needs who use the service. They express doubts that a possible replacement would meet the same requirements and have the same connection established with these people.
If the dismissal is confirmed, the families warn that they reserve the right to continue protesting and publicly denouncing in the press the situation of «abandonment» in which they feel themselves to be. They also announce that they will monitor any shortcomings that may arise and bring them to the attention of the competent authorities.
According to information obtained by this outlet, the worker had an employment contract in force that ran until November. However, following the recent changes in the municipal governing team and, in particular, in the Social Welfare department on which this service depends, it has been decided to end her employment on the grounds that it is a «political post» and must therefore be filled by someone close to the party that is now responsible for managing that department.
This case highlights the families’ concern at seeing how these political changes could directly affect the provision of essential services for people with disabilities, creating uncertainty about the stability and quality of the support their children receive. The families expect an urgent response from the Town Hall and ask it to reconsider the decision for the sake of the wellbeing of these people.
