Naples. An appeal to the city to avoid the closure of Gesco, a group of social enterprises active for over thirty years, put in crisis by the decision of the ASL Napoli 1 Centro to force the company to fire its historic operators.
The situation is complex: after months of negotiations and attempts at dialogue with the local health authority, the group founded in 1991 by Sergio D'Angelo and currently chaired by Giacomo Smarrazzo has declared a state of crisis.
“The ASL has informed us of its intention to terminate the contract for social and health services more than a year in advance of the deadline set for December 2025.
This decision will have serious repercussions on Gesco, putting at risk its very survival and the continuity of work of our operators,” Smarrazzo said during a press conference at the Il Poggio restaurant.
“We appeal to the city and its positive forces, from institutions to political parties, to the third sector, to support us in this battle for the common good, defending not only the jobs of hundreds of operators, but also the continuous assistance to psychiatric patients, the elderly and the most vulnerable people”.
Smarrazzo also announced that Gesco will ask the Prefect of Naples to intervene to prevent the Gesco crisis from turning into a wider social problem.
“Gesco is for Naples what Fiat was for Turin,” added Sergio D’Angelo. “We have 1.500 workers, and in one family out of 3-4 in Naples there is someone who works with us. What is happening does not only concern the 300 employees at risk of being fired, but the entire city. In fact, the firing of so many people could make this dispute of national interest.”
D'Angelo, who founded Gesco 33 years ago by uniting eight cooperatives already involved in the decommissioning of mental hospitals and in supporting young people in difficulty, reiterated that it is not a question of seeking solidarity, but of making the ASL understand the importance of the social heritage that risks being dispersed.
During Covid, he recalled, Gesco operators were considered “heroes,” but now they are treated like “trash.” Lawyer Giovanni Lauro explained that Gesco has already formally warned ASL Napoli 1 Centro for early termination of the contract.
The conference was attended by about a hundred operators, as well as the actor Gianfranco Gallo, Mario Paciolla's mother, Anna Motta, and several representatives of the third sector. During the meeting, the intention to organize permanent mobilizations and sit-ins was announced.
Article published on 25 September 2024 - 17:29
