Emeis, formerly known as Orpea, has announced plans to cut 150 jobs at its residential care homes in Belgium. Trade unions warned against the impact on the quality of life of residents.
The announcement was made during a works council meeting on Tuesday. The group intends to sell five care homes — three in Wallonia and two in Flanders — and close two assisted living sites in Flanders.
Additionally, 150 jobs will be cut, primarily in Brussels and Wallonia, while in Flanders, where the group employs 4,000 people, Emeis plans to hire 100 to 130 new employees.
The company stated that despite clear improvements, further efforts are needed to ensure a stable and sustainable financial situation for each residence.
Trade unions have described the job cuts as unprecedented and dramatic, warning that staff shortages already force many care centres to operate with minimal staffing levels.
"Emeis prides itself on providing quality service, but we do not see that in practice," said Luc De Lentacker from the union ACV Puls. "This situation will only worsen."
Evert Persoon, federal secretary at the unon BBTK, criticised the decision, stating: "Cutting jobs in a sector already suffering from a severe staff shortage is unacceptable. The quality of care and support will decline."
The trade unions have filed a strike notice in response to the planned job cuts. "The workers are determined to defend their jobs, their working conditions and the safety of residents," the unions stated in a press release.
In 2022, Emeis, then operating as Orpea, faced a scandal after the book ‘Les Fossoyeurs’ (‘The Gravediggers’), reported on allegations involving rationing resources, neglecting residents, financial mismanagement, and misuse of public funds.
Following a significant debt crisis, the group underwent bankruptcy and ultimately came under French state control. In Belgium, Emeis subsequently closed ten care homes.
