Updated | Social workers, NGOs send out warning on legal amendments, ministry open to suggestions

The ministry for the family and social solidarity has said it will be open to any suggestion that can strengthen a bill that will amend social worker rules, before the Bill goes to committee stage in parliament.

Michael Farrugia said he had met the social workers’ association to discuss amendments, in a bid to further professionalise the sector and protect clients.

Earlier today NGOs that offer support services for vulnerable groups have flagged a bill presented by the Minister for the Family and Social Affairs which they say will block them from employing newly qualified social work graduates.

The law, which will amend Social Work Profession Act, stipulates that social work graduates will have to work as social workers for two years full-time or six years part-time with a government agency in order to obtain a warrant.

“If the amendment Bill is approved as it is, NGOs will find it practically impossible to employ new social work graduates since new graduates will have to enter state employment in order to get their warrant,” 18 NGOs said in a statement.

They said that the law should be re-proposed once agreement with the NGO sector and the Social Work profession is reached. The Malta Associatiopn of Social Workers (MASW) is supporting NGOs in this issue.

The NGOs said that the situation would be untenable because after being employed by a state agency for two years to obtain their warrants, it would be highly likely that no social worker will want to leave a secure public sector job with a number of related benefits to work with an NGO that depends on charitable donations and public funding.

“New social work graduates who wish to work with an NGO rather than with the state will be unable to make such a choice. Even young priests and nuns who graduate in social work – there are a few already – will have to work with a state agency rather than their religious orders in order to be granted a warrant to practice,” the NGOs said.

“Through the years, NGOs have contributed and must be helped to continue to contribute immeasureably to meet the needs of vulnerable groups in our society. The services NGOs offer cannot be delivered in the same manner by the state.

“What is most worrying to NGOs is that the proposed bill will definately result in the de-professionalization of NGOs. NGOs will be reduced to working with non-professional workers, thus lowering standards of professional services to the thousands of vulnerable service users that they currently serve or to wind down the services they currently provide. If this happens, Government will have to substantially increase its poverty and social inclusion budget to ensure the thousands NGOs serve remain entitled to access support services.”

The Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Malta said it has always supported the requirement of two years of supervised practice as a condition for obtaining the warrant.

“What we object to is the proposal that these two years can only take place in a government agency and not in NGOs or private agencies. A welfare sector that truly responds to different individuals’ needs and choices requires a broad range of service providers, amongst which the NGOs play an essential role,” the department said.

“Such a decision would deny new graduates who actually want to work in NGOs the possibility of doing so, unless they are willing to sacrifice the acquisition of their warrant.”

The NGOs that supported the statement are Aditus, Anti-Poverty Forum Malta (APF), Church Schools Association, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Dar Merħba Bik Foundation, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, Hospice Malta, Inspire, Migrant Women Association Malta, Platform for Human Rights Organisations Malta, Richmond Foundation, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, St Joseph Home MSSP, Salesians of Don Bosco, Secretariat for Catholic Education, SOS Malta, Ursuline Sisters, and Victim Support Malta.