As revealed by summary to disciplinary proceeding at Ministry of Social Affairs, a former deputy secretary general at the ministry repeatedly failed to do his basic job from April to end of August of this year. The man improved not himself despite of being often reminded by secretary general and co-workers of his duties.
In March, problems started with administration of special welfare services, as it was decided by a court that people assigned to twenty-four-hour special care need to be receiving the services within three months time; the budget, however lacking funds for that. Also, the public was grieved by two cases of deaths at specialised care homes, bringing ministry limelight over the department.
Two meetings were organised by deputy secretary general Aleksander Ljudvig; even so, the timetables set as goals and tasks to be distributed between parties have not been carried out. Instead of a realistic solution, the deputy secretary general only suggested that the budget be enlarged – an impossibility in mid-year – says the summary of the proceedings.
In July, another problem emerged as Chancellor of Justice noted that Estonian National Social Insurance Board (SKA) was unable to guarantee security of children under special care. Mr Ljudvig failed to react to request by SKA director general Juta Saarevet to urgently convene a meeting, wherefore Ms Saarevet did it herself, twice.
To a meeting dealing with specialised care, on August 16th, Mr Ljudvig appeared completely unprepared, silent even as asked questions by social minister Taavi Rõivas. The meeting was important, as on the basis of it proposals were to be made for 2014 state budget. It is stated in the disciplinary proceeding summary that without initiative shown by Ms Saarevet, the meeting would not have happened at all.
As acknowledged by Ms Saarevet in an e-mail dated August 23rd, people at the ministry and cooperation partners did not take Mr Ljudvig seriously. According to her, «everybody was trying to get results in a way that the existence or nonexistence of the deputy secretary general would not pose a problem/hindrance».
On August 19th, talks of the 2014 budget took place. This time, Mr Ljudvig failed to apply for increased capitation fee for children under special care and shortening of waiting lists.
The disciplinary proceeding summary states that the deputy secretary general was unable to shape social ministry policy and cooperation with partners, wherefore employees at divisions had to fulfil his tasks in his stead. It is also stated that the deputy secretary general failed to use the resources trusted to him responsibly and effectively.
The summary concludes the deputy secretary general has failed to fulfil his duties both in social ministry and in relations with Social Insurance Board (SKA). «The infringement is of a constant nature and it concerns the entirety of the job of the deputy secretary general,» says the summary, containing decision to sack Mr Ljudvig.
During the proceeding, Mr Ljudvig claimed the secretary general drew prejudiced and subjective conclusions regarding him, based on opinions and assumptions by third persons. Even so, he presented no evidence to refute his infringements.
Mr Ljudvig, hired in December last year, was dismissed on October 11th.