They are nearly 500 in the Gard and claim the right to respite.
There are around 500 family assistants in the Gard. Their profession – they and they are contract agents of the Department – is not well known. This Thursday, around forty of these family assistants, dressed in red, were gathered in front of the departmental council – their employer – and demanded better working conditions. A delegation was received by the interim president of the Department, Alexandre Pissas.
A rally that made noise
“We would like to have a minimum of respect, more support. However, we are put under pressure. There, we say stop. We are left to ourselves, testifies Leïla Garnier, employee representative (CGT). We are often entrusted with disturbed and suffering children, who would need to be followed by psychologists, psychiatrists. But we are told that psychologists or psychiatrists are overwhelmed. ” These children are entrusted to foster families 24 hours a day. “
We work seven days a week, without the right to rest, without public holidays “, describes Leïla Garnier. And the whole family is involved, since we welcome these children to our home. For 900 € net per month (for a child). The job is not attractive enough. “
“We are also asking for a right to respite (one weekend a month for example). For me, a caregiver is a vocation, confides Leïla Garnier. I like this job. But our working conditions need to change and improve. ” At the departmental council, this gathering surprised.
“In terms of remuneration, we cannot go beyond. A report from the regional audit office alerted us to the subject. We are trying to improve working conditions, says Virginie Paquien, director general of services at the Department. All family assistants who take in three or more children have received the maximum Covid premium (€ 1,000). We don’t really understand. The unions were received a few months ago. “
–
