Danmarks Radio reveals that conditions for the Danish and Greenlandic employees at Pituffik lead to psychological pressure and that the economy is in shambles.
Pituffik Space Base has been under extensive pressure among its staff for a long time. DR writes this based on documents they have seen.
The umbrella organization Dansk Byggefag, which represents the Greenlandic and Danish employees at the base, has spoken to DR.
According to the association, the conditions are so critical that they have sent a letter of concern to the Danish Minister of Defense, the Danish Parliament’s Greenland Committee, the American Embassy in Copenhagen, and the companies Permagreen and Vectrus Service.
The company Inussuk holds the service contract. The company is a partnership between Vectrus Services and Permagreen.
Machines and barracks in disrepair
Despite the fact that the service contract was for 28 billion kroner for the operation and maintenance of the base, Dansk Byggefag writes in the letter:
“It is no longer possible to replace a door handle, a shower head in your barracks, or get gasoline for private vehicles. In the more serious department, employees cannot get safety shoes, work clothes suitable for arctic conditions, and windshield wipers for the base’s cars.”
In addition, it is described that vehicles and machinery are being replaced with older models. In some cases, the replacement machinery has not worked upon arrival, so it has been driven directly back onto the cargo ship.
Psykisk pres
Based on conversations with employees, the letter from the Danish Construction Association describes that management is unclear and the economy is so pressured that it seriously threatens the employees’ mental health.
– What our members were told was that there was no money for employment, there was no money to buy spare parts, there was no money to build up this necessary stock. When a ship only arrives once a year, it is quite important that you have everything from shower heads to sockets in stock. It is an indication that there is a lack of money somewhere in the system, says Søren Sand Kirk to DR, director of Danske Byggefag.
He also says that in practice it is the American company Vectrus, V2X, that is responsible for the daily operations, even though Greenlandic Permagreen technically owns the majority of Inussuk.
Permagreen and Inussuk write to DR that they are aware of the concerns, which they take seriously.