The exonerated provider of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Lisbon, Ana Jorge, denies it “deeply” criticism from the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, who accused her on Tuesday of “total inaction” and have increased salaries for their own benefit.
Holy House. Minister guarantees that she has “solid reasons” to fire the supplier. “We could be facing total danger in the operation”
In statements to Rádio Observador, Ana Jorge stated this Wednesday morning that the accusations “are lies”. “I don’t see what the minister said. “I dispute everything and I will prove it in the Assembly of the Republic,” he adds, saying that he feels “mistreated”.
Increasing [salarial] “What there was for the workers is the result of a company agreement, signed with the two unions and with minimal economic repercussions, but taking into account, mainly, lower-level workers, contrary to what the Minister affirms,” says Ana Jorge.
The fired supplier admits that there was a “misunderstanding” in the conversations she had with the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security.
Regarding accusations of inaction, Ana Jorge defends herself: “It was an extremely difficult year, but we did everything possible to keep the Holy House standing, to maintain all the activity in the city of Lisbon and beyond.” And she gives examples: “Social support in Lisbon did not decrease at all, on the contrary, and we carried out budget execution with positive results in 2023.”
Listen here in full to Ana Jorge’s statements to Rádio Observador:
Accusations of the Minister? “I feel mistreated”
The provider of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Lisbon also explains that, “to maintain social action” she had to do “restructuring”. And there were reorganizations of services that “have already been carried out” and others that “are underway.”
Therefore, I cannot review what the minister says. I’m being mistreated. Am I being a victim of political sanitation? It seems that way,” summarizes Ana Jorge, heard by Rádio Observador.
The supplier fired by the Government also guarantees that Santa Casa “not in financial difficulties” and affirms that he has always been “transparent and loyal.” In statements to Rádio Observador, Ana Jorge explains that she will continue in the “current management” until she is replaced.
Later this Wednesday morning, in statements to journalists, the dismissed ombudsman maintains that Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho’s statements are not justified and repeats that she will respond to the accusations again in Parliament and “with numbers.”
In an interview with RTP, on Tuesday night, the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security stated that the dismissal of the board of directors of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Lisbon was due to management reasons and the absence of a plan of restructuring. Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho affirms that Ana Jorge did not show “a sense of urgency in the face of the situation that was happening.”
However, the minister refuses to talk about the dismissal again, after Ana Jorge’s response. Speaking to journalists this Wednesday morning, on the sidelines of a visit to a social center in Águeda, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho sent new statements to Parliament.
At the end of April, the Government announced the dismissal of the Santa Casa administration, accusing it of “grossly negligent actions.” Ana Jorge spoke, at the time, of a “rude” dismissal.
Although the dismissal will have immediate effect, Ana Jorge and the members of the Board will remain in their positions until a new team is named.
Ana Jorge accused of “acting with serious negligence” by the Government. Supplier speaks of “rude” dismissal
Source: Observadora
