The Gesco social enterprise group has launched an impassioned appeal to the Prefect of Naples, Michele Di Bari, to prevent the dismissal of approximately 300 healthcare workers, psychologists, and social workers employed by the ASL Napoli 1 Centro. The situation escalated following the ASL's decision to terminate, more than a year and a half early, the contract for the management of psychosocial services, prison medicine, and hospital care, which had been awarded to a temporary consortium (ATI) led by Gesco.
In a note, Gesco expresses deep concern about the impact of this choice, which will come into force on October 31: This decision will severely impact approximately 300 workers, forced to leave their jobs after years of dedicated work for vulnerable people, including those with mental health issues, seniors with conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, and those with disabilities. They will be deprived of professionals who represent crucial points of reference for them., we read in the letter sent to the prefect.
The early termination of the contract, according to Gesco, will have dramatic consequences not only on the workers, but also on the cooperatives involved, which risk not being able to cope with the economic impacts of the withdrawal: The cooperatives are unable, within the timeframe and methods required, to find alternative solutions to relocate the affected staff. This abrupt interruption will also have devastating economic and financial repercussions, jeopardizing the business continuity of the cooperatives and the consortium itself.
Gesco also underlines the serious social damage that this decision could cause: "These are professionals and experts in the social sector, whose contribution cannot be ignored. We ask that legality be restored, allowing the contract to reach its natural expiration, and that a dialogue be initiated with the city of Naples, already severely impacted by the employment and services crisis."
Finally, the company urged the prefect to intervene immediately so that a positive solution can be found to the dispute: "Napoli cannot afford another unjust misfortune at a time when welfare is already in a critical condition", concludes Gesco's note.
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