In Sweden, it has been common in the rescue service and several health professions to make exceptions to the rules on 11 hours of daily rest. The exemption allows, among other things, personal assistants to work full day shifts with the care recipients without staff changes.
But by 1 October, the EU wants to tighten up the rules. Something that would have negative consequences for both assistants and care recipients, says a group of assistants in Karlskrona who have joined forces in a joint protest.
– The day shifts are necessary for the care recipients and create security and continuity, says Maria Grönberg to SVT Nyheter Blekinge.
"Taking this all the way to Brussels"
The day shifts mean that the assistants have time to carry out several errands and activities together with the care recipients – without being disturbed by staff changes. This reduces both anxiety and worry among the care recipient and stress among the staff, according to the assistants in Karlskrona.
- Why hasn't anyone asked the users about this? Who will fight for them if not us, asks assistant Bibbi Mård.
At the time of writing, the group has collected over 15,000 signatures in protest at the tightened rules.
"We are prepared to take this all the way to Brussels," says Marie Grönberg.