Social workers are really not appreciated
2005-10-20
SOCIAL workers in South Africa have felt that their efforts to serve the community to the best of their ability have largely gone unappreciated - despite the fact that they are often expected to do so at great personal cost.
It was therefore much appreciated that there are deliberate efforts being made to improve Social Workers’ salaries in the 2005/2006 budget. These attempts have been welcomed by the Social Workers Association of South Africa (SWASA).
Yet, despite these efforts, it remains a great concern that salaries for Social Workers in general (when compared to other professions) and specifically social workers employed by non-governmental organisations are extremely inadequate.
On the one hand quality social services are demanded, but on the other hand, it is impossible for social workers to balance their own family budgets!
The basic salary of a senior social worker with 15 years’ experience employed by an NGO is R5 600 - compared to the starting salary of a newly qualified social worker employed by state department of R6 500.
Despite an increase in the budget for Social Services - it never reaches the pocket of the social worker.
Subsidies paid to NGO’s are utilised for day-to-day operation of the organisation - resulting in secretaries earning more than the professional person with a minimum four year degree.
Many social workers are leaving the country, the main reasons being that they cannot make ends meet on what they currently earn. Working conditions are also very poor and there is no money to upgrade and streamline offices.
Can you imagine our community without essential services such as those offered by NGO’s such as Child Welfare, FAMSA, Association for disabled?
One of the goals of SWASA (Social Work Association of South Africa) is to enhance favourable service conditions for social service providers.
Santie Kinnear
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