Last Saturday, May 4, a fire broke out at the La Laguna Job Centre situated on Alfredo Torres Edwards Street in the heart of the city. The fire started in the server room around 3:00 a.m.
While the fire did not extend to the rest of the building, its repercussions have disrupted customer service and put employees at risk. CCOO stated in a press release, “It has created an unsustainable situation, making it impossible to carry out the usual tasks.”
The employees themselves alerted the Canary Islands Employment Service (SCE) on Friday about an unusual noise, but they were reassured that everything was fine. However, hours later, the fire erupted in the server room.
Vertigo and Headaches
Upon returning to work on Monday, the employees discovered an office without electricity, internet, or telephone services. Additionally, a strong smell of smoke caused some of them to experience dizziness and headaches.
According to CCOO, the staff had to wait the entire day in a nearby square without any instructions from management. Eventually, they were allowed to return home but were told to come back the next day.
The situation repeated itself on Tuesday; employees were unable to enter the office and only received notice via email that activities had to be carried out remotely.
“No occupational risk assessment has been conducted to evaluate the health impact of the lingering smell in the premises and the potential risk of its recurrence. This lack of information and immediate action has caused significant uncertainty among the workers, who are concerned for their health and that of the users,” they expressed.
Staff Forced to Provide Service Outdoors
The fire and the subsequent management decisions have disrupted services for the public. People visiting the La Laguna OE are encountering suspended services, including the SEPE, which has relocated its staff temporarily.
Today, workers have been instructed that those authorized to work remotely should do so until the end of the week. Those who are not authorized must help citizens on the streets, entering the office only briefly if adjustments to appointments are required.
According to FSC-CCOO, it is “unacceptable for a modern-era public administration to be compelled to deliver services on the streets. Immediate and transparent action from the authorities is essential to ensure the health and well-being of the staff and users, and to restore a high-quality public service. Citizens deserve an efficient and accountable administration.”
