Social Workers' Day: The Shadows of the Welfare Field
Every year, July 1st is Social Workers' Day. But the joy of the anniversary is fleeting, as social workers in the field continue to suffer from poor treatment. This year's Social Workers' Day was no exception, with voices calling for improved conditions. In particular, workers defined the government and local governments as the 'real bosses,' urging solutions to structural problems such as job insecurity, low wages, and excessive workloads.
Social workers play a crucial role in supporting the most vulnerable members of society, but their dedication is often underestimated. Concerns are being raised that low wages and unstable employment environments undermine the morale of social workers, which can ultimately lead to a decline in the quality of services.
Who is the 'Real Boss'?: The Responsibility of Government and Local Governments
Why do social welfare workers refer to the government and local governments as the 'real bosses'? This is because a significant portion of social welfare services is operated through budget support from the government and local governments. In other words, the government and local governments have the actual responsibility for the operation of social welfare facilities and institutions. However, in reality, social workers are experiencing difficulties due to budget shortages and neglect of supervision.
One social worker said, “The government and local governments must secure sufficient budgets to improve the quality of social welfare services and actively improve the treatment of social workers.”
In particular, social workers are expressing serious concerns about job insecurity. Many social workers are employed on a contract basis and are performing their duties with anxiety about contract renewal. This undermines the professionalism of social workers and acts as a factor that lowers the quality of services in the long term.
Why is Improving the Treatment of Social Workers Important?
Improving the treatment of social workers is not just an individual issue. It is an important issue directly related to the overall welfare level of society. When social workers can demonstrate their expertise in a stable environment, they can provide better welfare services, which leads to an improvement in the quality of life for society as a whole.
Specific measures to improve the treatment of social workers include the following:
- Wage Increase: Wages of social workers should be realistic, and a living wage level should be guaranteed.
- Employment Stability: Expand regular employment and resolve job insecurity for contract social workers.
- Improvement of Working Environment: Reduce excessive workloads and ensure sufficient rest time.
- Strengthening Expertise: Expand opportunities for education and training to improve the expertise of social workers.
One welfare expert emphasized, “Improving the treatment of social workers is a social investment,” and “The government and local governments should actively promote policies to improve the treatment of social workers.”
The Responsibility of the 'Real Boss': The Future of Social Welfare Policy
On Social Workers' Day, the responsibility of the government and local governments is once again emphasized. As the 'real boss,' the government and local governments must listen to the voices of social workers and create real change. Rather than ending with mere commemorative events or one-time support, they must improve the entire social welfare system and create an environment where social workers can work with pride.
The future of social welfare policy depends on the dedication and efforts of social workers. And what supports that dedication and effort is the responsible attitude of the government and local governments. We must not forget that society as a whole can be happy only when social workers are happy. Along with expanding the social welfare budget, expanding the social welfare workforce is also an urgent task.
An official from Hyunbit Welfare Foundation stated, “We are grateful for the dedication of social workers and will continue to work to protect the rights and improve the treatment of social workers.”
The government and local governments must present a concrete roadmap for improving the treatment of social workers and actively take the lead in securing budgets and promoting policies. They must listen to the voices of social workers and continue their efforts to solve their difficulties. This will be the true image of the 'real boss.'