“The present and future of over 500 disabled individuals is at stake”
The Socialist Party of Lanzarote has expressed its deep concern regarding the serious situation faced by Special Employment Centres in the Canary Islands, demanding immediate action from the regional government to prevent the loss of over 500 jobs held by disabled individuals.
Since February, these centres have not received subsidies from the Canarian Employment Service (SCE), crucial funding for their operation. The Canarian Association of Special Employment Centres (Accee) has warned that the debt could exceed two million euros, describing the management of these funds by the SCE as “chaotic.”
Lucía Olga Tejera, the Disability Secretary of the Insular Executive of the PSOE in Lanzarote, has called for urgent action from the Government of the Canary Islands, lamenting that an administrative decision has jeopardised the employment of hundreds of individuals already facing multiple barriers in the labour market.
“We are talking about centres that not only provide employment but also dignity, autonomy, and social participation for disabled individuals. The negligence of the Government of the Canary Islands is putting all of this at risk,” she stated.
Tejera reminded that these centres have gone months without receiving subsidies, and the situation is critical: “Many organisations are on the brink of closure. This is not just an economic crisis; it is a crisis of rights. We cannot allow administrative inefficiency to punish those who need support the most.”
The PSOE of Lanzarote has urged the regional government to take responsibility and urgently restore normal procedures for grant processing, thereby ensuring the viability of the centres and the continuity of the jobs they provide.
“If we are speaking about inclusion, social justice, and rights, now is the time to demonstrate this with actions. The Canary Islands cannot afford to turn a blind eye,” concluded Tejera.
