We invited the Hapvida NotreDame Intermédica Group to comment on allegations by workers that they were facing moral harassment, work overload, precarious rights and a series of abuses on the part of the company.

After the deadline, the company sent us a statement:

[...]

HAPVIDA NOTREDAME INTERMÉDICA would like to comment on and challenge the ‘news’ published in recent days by ‘Revista Fórum’ and ‘UNI Global Union’, with regard to ‘allegations by workers that they are facing moral harassment, work overload, precarious rights and a series of abuses on the part of the company’.

...[I]t is imperative to point out that the company does not support any act of discrimination, intolerance or harassment, since it is committed to humanised, respectful and empathetic service. The company understands that respect and attention are essential elements in health-related activities, and its pillars are hospitality, quality, innovation and cost efficiency, which is why it strengthens cordial and ethical treatment among its employees and with its customers every day...

Available in clear language, applied in constant training and accessible to all employees, the Code of Ethics guides the work carried out at all hierarchical levels of the corporation, providing a healthy working environment that values the human person, providing opportunities for the professional development of its employees and refuting any act that goes against the values defended by the company. Nevertheless, in order to curb any conduct that violates the Code of Ethics, other policies and ethical principles of the health system, the Whistleblowing Channel has been developed, and it is the duty of all employees to report such acts whenever they become aware of or experience a conflicting situation...

In addition, because it understands the relevance of the issue, the company has qualified professionals to develop actions to combat racial discrimination and/or any type of discrimination in the workplace...

In addition to this, the company has implemented various measures to raise awareness of acts that may give rise to any type of harassment or discriminatory act in the context of labour relations...

...[W]e reject the allegations made by ‘fórum magazine’ and the international organisation ‘UNI Global’ that there is a precarious working environment at HNDI. Having said that, it is important to inform you that we are vigilant with regard to the unsubstantiated news that is being proliferated in the media, which may be subject to the appropriate legal challenge, given its excesses, since we do not corroborate the dissemination of news without proven or subsidised bases, which has the notorious aim of tarnishing the Company's image...

(Translated by the BHRRC)