The profession of sharing and understanding

Concurrent

Although the work of a cultural and social officer is very busy, Ms. Bui Thi Dinh in Tan Tien commune (Gia Loc) still often takes time to visit families in difficult circumstances to grasp information for work, and at the same time advise the local government on timely support measures. In Tan Tien commune, there are no officers specializing in social work, so this activity is still mostly in charge of cultural and social officers and some organizations.

Not only in Tan Tien, in many localities of Hai Duong, most of the social work activities are undertaken by organizations and unions. Because they hold multiple positions, they work mainly out of responsibility and enthusiasm, and have not received any allowances.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa in Vinh Hung commune (Binh Giang) regularly participates in charity and humanitarian activities of the Women's Union of the commune, but she never thought that she was doing part of the social work profession. Ms. Hoa said: "In rural areas, there are still many disadvantaged people and children in difficult circumstances. In particular, there are few people who can provide counseling on psychological issues. If there were professional social workers in the locality, it would be better."

Social work is a special profession, helping to solve many problems arising in society, therefore requiring people doing this job not only to have expertise, skills, and professionalism but also to have a heart for the job, to know how to understand and share.

Developing the social work profession in the community helps to effectively carry out emergency support activities, assist the disadvantaged, and promptly take measures to prevent and eliminate risks leading to abuse, violence, and mistreatment. Developing the social work profession well also contributes to ensuring social security and developing a fair, harmonious, and sustainable society.

Concern for development

Recognizing the importance of social work to people's lives and promoting the effectiveness of the province's social security policies, Hai Duong has promptly issued the Social Work Development Program for the period 2021-2030. This is considered the basis for localities in the province to pay attention to social work, develop a network of social collaborators and aim to build a team of professional social workers.

According to the province's Social Work Development Program for the 2021-2030 period, by the end of 2025, Hai Duong will have about 60% of communes, wards, towns and related units assigning and arranging personnel for social work, including at least 1-2 cadres, civil servants, public employees, social workers with specialized or part-time positions or social work collaborators receiving a minimum monthly allowance equal to the basic salary prescribed by the Government. Mr. Nguyen Van Suat, Chairman of the People's Committee of Co Bi Commune (Binh Giang) said that this goal can bring many opportunities to the disadvantaged because when the locality has specialized social workers, many assistance and social security programs can be implemented. According to Mr. Suat, currently when there are no specialized workers, it is necessary to soon have more allowances for part-time social workers so that they are more enthusiastic about this job.

Developing the social work profession is very important in the process of implementing social security policies in localities in the province. Problems arising in life such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, support for the elderly, the disadvantaged, orphans, etc. will be implemented more effectively. Therefore, developing the social work profession and building a team of social work collaborators need to be implemented early and effectively.

According to statistics from the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Hai Duong currently has more than 83,000 people receiving monthly social benefits in the community; 1,050 people are managed and cared for at the province's social assistance facilities; 8,695 poor households, 10,807 near-poor households, 373,656 elderly people, 491,692 children... These are all people who need regular assistance in the localities. The number of people needing assistance is large, but currently Hai Duong only has about 3,000 people working in sectors related to social work such as labor, war invalids and social affairs, justice, Vietnam Fatherland Front, Red Cross, women, farmers, youth union... Most of these people also only hold part-time jobs. There are not many professional social workers.

According to Mr. Vu Tri Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in the coming time, the department will continue to closely coordinate with relevant units and localities to guide the construction of a network of organizations providing social work services and a wide network of social work staff and collaborators according to the goals set by the province so that the social work profession can truly promote its effectiveness in implementing the province's social security strategy.

In September 2016, the Prime Minister decided to designate March 25 every year as Vietnam Social Work Day, to honor the value of this profession, and at the same time recognize the role and contributions of social workers in ensuring the implementation of human rights, justice, social progress and happiness of the people.