Deputy Minister: Number of Social Workers to Increase

This year 50 social workers will be added to the Social Service Agency.

The statement was made by Deputy Minister of IDPs, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia Tamar Barkalaia.

She commented on the large-scale strike of the social workers throughout Georgia, saying half of their demands have been fulfilled and the ministry is working on the remaining issues.

Social workers started a collective dispute against the Social Service Agency on 8 February. On March 21, they said that the mediation was unsuccessful and the Ministry of Health refused to fulfill their requirements. The same day they submitted a statement to the ministry about the strike, saying from March 25 they refuse to fulfill their duties.

They have several demands, among them improvement of working conditions, allocation of transport for them and increasing the number of the staff.

Barkalaia stated in 2020 the salary of social workers will increase to 1200 GEL and in 2022 up to GEL 1500.

“Social workers and social work requires additional resources, strengthening and support. These processes have been actively launched since 2018. The State has a plan to strengthen social work, develop and ensure their respective promotion to ensure high quality of service,” she explained.

Deputy Minister also said that the problem of the transportation of social workers has partially been solved, adding one car was given to each region, which will be in disposal of social workers for 24 hours.

“In addition to this, social workers in Tbilisi have special cards, which gives them benefits in municipal transport,” said Barkalaia.

By Thea Morrison

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