The Inspectorate for Healthcare and Care, IVO, decided earlier this spring to investigate the Umeå-based assistance company VH Assistans AB. This is after a number of authorities, a municipality and assistants at the company reported the company for various crimes and misconduct.

Among other things, the Swedish Migration Board states in the IVO's investigation that the assistance company "repeatedly made use of offers of rail jobs for job-seeking personal assistants in order to circumvent the rules of the Aliens Act".

Required on millions

The Swedish Social Insurance Agency requires the assistance company of approximately SEK 3.5 million after the company provided incorrect information to the authority about a user who was not entitled to compensation due to residence abroad for several years.

Exposed to threats and violations

Assistants who have previously worked for the company have testified about widespread abuses and various shortcomings regarding the working environment. For example, work schedules have not been observed, unjustified salary deductions have been made, but the staff has also been exposed to threats, violations and harassment.

Stopped payments

On April 17 this year, Försäkringskassan stopped its payments of assistance compensation to the company because "there is reason to question VH Assistans AB's suitability to conduct business". On June 24, IVO made the decision, with immediate effect, to withdraw the permit giving the company the right to conduct personal assistance.

SVT is looking for the company for a comment.