All Belgian operations of the French Clariane group behind the Korian residential care centres will be divested and put up for sale, the company announced on Wednesday. Trade unions are now demanding the necessary guarantees for the staff.
Korian is a commercial company specialising in nursing home care for the elderly, with around 10,000 employees in Belgium and some 11,000 residential care home beds spread across 115 sites. But the Belgian and Dutch operations will now be divested.
"After years of uncertainty of the staff, this decision is added to the load – just like that, a bolt from the blue," said federal BBTK secretary Evert Persoon.
"We therefore unequivocally demand cast-iron guarantees from the employer for the staff, in terms of job security but also in terms of pay and working conditions for all employees," he said. "We also demand the immediate establishment of a follow-up committee in which we, as a trade union, can strictly monitor the state of the sale."
Another period of uncertainty
Korian had long been in financial trouble but had also dealt with several testimonies and complaints from residents. Several establishments came under increased government scrutiny.
"Of course, the staff and the residents bear no responsibility in this, but they are once again faced with the consequences," added fellow BBTK Federal Secretary, Nathalie Lionnet. "Yet another period of uncertainty is now dawning, after the previous difficulties and after the enormous efforts made by the staff during and after the Covid-19 pandemic."
According to the socialist union, this case demonstrates yet again what the commercialisation and profiteering of the care sector means. "Large commercial groups and international investment funds rise like mushrooms when there are profits to be had, but just disregard staff and residents at the slightest setback."
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Now, the BBTK is again asking how long Flemish Welfare Minister Hilde Crevits and the Flemish Government will allow private commercial players to use the healthcare sector as a playground.
"Together with the staff, we wonder which investor will show interest in a takeover, when the profits have been drained away and only losses are booked," Persoon said. "And what will happen to the staff and residents if no buyer is found as a result. If there is a buyer, the employees and residents must be able to count on decent working conditions and quality care."
