“We are the forgotten ones of IMAD”
Home helpers from the Geneva institution are asking for an upgrade in their role. They denounce a lack of recognition and increased arduousness of the work.
A delegation of home helpers held a press conference with the SIT and SSP unions on Monday.
LUCIEN LUCKY
“We are the forgotten ones of IMAD!” This cry from the heart comes from a delegation of home helpers from the Geneva Home Support Institution. Several of them spoke on Monday at a press conference organized by the SIT and SSP unions. They are requesting the opening of negotiations on an update of their specifications adapted to the reality on the ground.
“It is, once again, a highly feminized profession of personal care, which is not valued at its fair value even though it is essential for maintaining people at home,” says Sandra Froidevaux. , SIT union secretary.
Practical and social role
For several months, a delegation of home helpers from IMAD has been organizing to demand better recognition of their profession. “Faced with management’s refusal to negotiate and with the support of more than 90% of home helpers (AD), the delegation decided to publicize the matter,” explains Quentin Stauffer, SSP union secretary.
The approximately 240 IMAD home helpers work with people in need – particularly suffering from a mental or physical illness, reduced after an accident or an operation, old and young – generally once a week for 1 hour 50 minutes. They provide practical help: household chores, shopping, walking, accompaniment to appointments, among others.
“Sometimes we are the only person the client will see all week! We take on the role of mother, psychologist and social worker.”
One of them notes their social role: “Sometimes we are the only person the client will see all week! We take on the role of mother, psychologist and social worker. And we send alerts to fellow caregivers.”
The function of AD has not been re-evaluated for fifteen years, but the profession has changed, due to the shift to ambulatory care, the increase in chronic illnesses and the aging of the population. “There are more and more complex situations, linked to psychiatric pathologies or addiction situations, in particular,” testifies an employee. However, we are not sufficiently trained for this.”
And to cite the case of a schizophrenic client. “We ask for additional training to do our work safely, but this is reserved for healthcare professions. Sometimes we go about our work with fear in our stomachs.”
Finally, the ADs are asking for a salary increase. They are paid in class 6, or 4507 francs without experience. “IMAD meal delivery drivers are paid in class 8. We don’t understand this difference.”
Revaluation of the function
IMAD, through its communications director, Chiara di Lella, responds that a meal delivery job only exists part-time and cannot exceed 50% activity. “The salary class granted to this function takes this into account with a view to promoting it.”
She recalls that the general management, operations management and human resources management of the institution met the AD delegation at the end of the summer. “Certain observations are shared, notably the evolution of the profession and the care of increasingly complex patients.”
In this context, adds the communications director, IMAD worked on changing the health law to develop delegation protocols at the level of health professionals and is now working on their implementation – who are the professionals? able to delegate what actions, and to whom.
“This will generate a new function for practical help and home support to meet the needs of patients, particularly in terms of prevention and support for everyday activities. The institution will promote an upgrading of the function and will put in place the necessary training.” Specific training on the topic of mental health will also be offered.
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2023-11-20 19:51:29
#Working #conditions #forgotten #IMAD
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