The management of Rēzekne's Retirement Social Services Center is facing a dilemma. The Ombudsman has concluded that there is an urgent need to find a solution to raise the qualifications of carers, while the management of the municipal council is looking for which employees to be fired. The deputy manager sees only one exit.
Daina Sidoruka, Deputy Head of the Rēzekne Retirement Social Services Center, said: “First steps – the vacancies need to be extended. Second – they have to come into our house and look at how we live. Money needs to be found to make good repairs. I think we have to wait for the mayor's visit.”
Five carers and one social care worker – the removal of these positions on Monday was included in a report prepared by the Executive Director of the Municipality to the Council's Finance Committee. Latvian Television failed to contact him on Monday.
In the municipality as a whole, the list of employees could be reduced by about 60. 18 are currently vacant.
Margarita Voiciša, head of the Central Administration of Rēzekne, said: “We had a vacant seat as an adviser to the President of the City Council. This is such a new arrangement under the new Local Government Law. All these measures were carefully evaluated, rather gently, with regard to employees. Everything was done in consultation with the heads of that particular department.”
In kindergartens, where communication only in Latvian is to be started in September, optimization will affect Latvian teachers.
Deputy Head of Education Administration of Rezekne Municipality Linda Gevaļa said: “In order for minority children to receive support, educational institutions were invited to write programs, or so called electives, where children will be able to learn Latvian language in addition.”
Latvian teachers are needed in minority schools, the Minister for Education and Science Anda Čakša (New Unity) said on a visit to Rezekne last week. On Monday, following the visit of Rēzekne Mayor Aleksandrs Bartaševičs to Rīga, ministers of municipalities and finance concluded that an emergency financial audit should be carried out in the municipality. The mayor's responsibility, including his remaining in office, would then be so assessed.
