Region Östergötland currently has a budget deficit of SEK 1.7 billion. The deficit forces the region to pull the handbrake and on Wednesday it was announced that a total of 900 employees will be notified.
– We have an economy in free fall, says regional director Mikael Borin.
The notification concerns personnel categories within large parts of the region, but nurses and doctors, among other things, are exempt. In total, the Östergötland region has approximately 14,600 employees and it is still unclear which employees are affected. Union negotiations will soon take place.
– It is a regrettable but unfortunately unavoidable decision. Region Östergötland is in an extremely challenging economic situation, says regional board chairman Marie Morell (M).
Got a cancer diagnosis in 2022
The savings notice and warning worry many. One of those affected is Jenny Karlström in Norrköping. She received her cancer diagnosis in August 2022 and before that Jenny Karlström used to run, practice spinning and spend time with her husband and five children.
Now she is dependent on care in order to continue working as an LSS administrator and social democratic church politician.
– That means everything. Working gives me an identity that is not just about being sick.
Take part in Jenny’s story in the clip above. In the clip below, you can see Region Östergötland’s management’s justification for the notification.
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Regional board chairman Marie Morell (M) and regional director Mikael Borin Photo: Hadeel Ibrahim / SVT