The expansion of the Home Help Service (SAD) in Erandio, announced by the City Council to also cover afternoons, weekends, and holidays, has triggered an intense debate in the town. The governing team, composed of the PNV and PSE, argues that a new public-private model will allow them to respond to increasing demand from families, although municipal staff and the opposition warn that the measure represents "the beginning of a privatization of care."

The conflict arises from the City Council's decision to implement a mixed management system. Under this model, municipal workers will continue to provide care during morning hours, while a specialized external company will take over the new time slots. Currently, around 60 residents with dependency or disability use this service, and another 17 people are on a waiting list.

In response to the announcement, the current staff, supported by unions such as ELA and LAB, have mobilized in recent weeks to reject the future system. Dozens of people participated last weekend in a rally called in defense of "public, dignified, and quality" care.

Employees acknowledge that expanding coverage is essential, especially after years of demanding more resources and hours. However, they believe the chosen approach will lead to a deterioration of care quality and working conditions. "Care is not a business," they state.

In this situation, the mayor, Aitziber Oliban, assures that the decision responds to a growing demand that the City Council "cannot meet with the current organization," for instance, to cover a sick leave in a few hours, or to ensure continuous training in geriatrics, substitutions, or work permits. She explains that the goal is to enable the elderly to continue living "in their environment, maintaining their support and trust networks." From the Social Action department, councilor Maite Pérez also insists that the SAD "will remain public," as ownership, planning, and control will continue to depend on the City Council. Meanwhile, "social clauses can and should be included in existing contracts that oblige respect for decent agreements and guarantee job stability."

However, professionals denounce that the SAD has suffered from a lack of staff and consequent workload for years, in addition to difficulties in properly complying with the law. In their view, the structure should be reinforced through new public hiring and a Public Employment Offer (OPE). Their main fear is that the coverage of afternoons and weekends will be just "the first step" towards a larger privatization.

The opposition, led by EH Bildu, has also criticized the measure. The coalition believes that the local government "has allowed the service to deteriorate for years and is now using that situation to justify the entry of private companies." Instead, they propose updating the job pool, convening an OPE, using program contracts, and "making a serious plan to expand the service without losing public control."

Despite the criticism, the City Council maintains its roadmap. The plan is for the service expansion to begin in the coming months, once administrative procedures and the modification of the municipal ordinance are completed. "The proposal stems from a rigorous knowledge of the local situation and an exhaustive analysis of citizen demands," they explain.