Naples – Doctors, nurses, and other workers at the Santobono Pediatric Hospital in Naples occupied the health management offices this morning. In total, approximately 70 employees are reportedly involved in the demonstration, which was launched to protest the closure of the internal parking lots due to the start of safety and earthquake-proofing work on the buildings at the Vomero hospital.
The protesters are demanding a direct meeting with the facility's management to identify alternative solutions during the months when the parking spaces will be unavailable. Their primary concern is the difficulty of parking outside, in an area—between Vomero and Arenella—where spaces are limited and largely reserved for residents. The protest had already been announced in recent days, with protests from staff.
Tensions in the garrison courtyard had been rising since the early hours of the morning as construction work began. The contractor in charge of the work arrived, and Carabinieri officers were reportedly on site to monitor the situation.
A nurse who works at Santobono and travels to the hospital from Torre del Greco describes the economic impact of the parking closures: "Between the highway and the ring road, I already spend money every day, and this morning I paid €15 in a private garage." The employee complains that, with morning shifts and the inability to find a parking spot on the street, parking costs risk becoming a significant fixed expense: "It doesn't seem like a normal situation to me; it will last for months. We need agreements with the garages."
For its part, Santobono management reiterated in recent days that the parking ban is the result of work "planned for years" and necessary to comply with anti-seismic retrofitting requirements. Management also announced that it has listened to staff requests and has earmarked a total financial contribution of approximately €200 to cover part of the costs of public transport passes and park-and-ride parking.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
I honestly don't understand why the parking lots have to be closed right now. The workers are right to protest, but the work is crucial for safety. Perhaps a better solution could be found for everyone.