The municipal union is concerned by the John Walter trial

Today ends the trial against the two former employees at the HVB home Platea who are accused of having caused the death of five-year-old John Walter.

Both employees deny wrongdoing.

Kommunal is one of several trade unions that organize employees who work at HVB homes.

And they are particularly concerned about the consequences of a conviction in the case of the two former employees charged with negligent supervision in the death of five-year-old John Walter.  

- There is a shortage of personnel and we are already understaffed in these professions, says Linda Bååth.

Criticized HVB home

The HVB home Platea, where John Walter was placed when he slipped out and was later found drowned, had for several years received serious criticism from the Inspectorate for Care and Care, IVO.

Among other things, it concerned a lack of suitability assessments and a lack of shell protection.

And the staff had repeatedly pointed out that staffing was too low for the children's needs. 

- If employees have pointed out shortcomings, it goes without saying that it is the employer's responsibility to fix it.

If they have not done so, the responsibility rests on the employers and not on the employees, says Linda Bååth. 

Platea's former director has said in witness interviews that she bears no responsibility for John Walter's death, but that it was a matter of lack of supervision on the part of the two defendants.

The employees claim that they have no criminal liability.