Social workers provide much needed help to society's most vulnerable, yet they remain unrecognised because the Social Work Profession Bill has not been tabled in Parliament even after being drafted since 2010. Illustration: The Star/Zulhaimie Baharuddin
Social work is not regulated nor recognised as a profession by law in Malaysia. While the drafting of the Social Work Profession Bill began in 2010, it has yet to be tabled in Parliament. This, says social worker and Holistic Integrated Services Team (HISTeam) founder and CEO Andrew Wong, is “our biggest disappointment” as social workers.
Wong, 52, who has been in the social work profession for 26 years and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Development from Universiti Putra Malaysia, says that “as a nation, we have underestimated the cost of not investing in the social work profession in our country”.
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Recognising social workers
Social workers provide much needed help to society's most vulnerable, yet they remain unrecognised because the Social Work Profession Bill has not been tabled in Parliament even after being drafted since 2010. Illustration: The Star/Zulhaimie Baharuddin
Social and humanitarian workers are in the frontlines and recognition is key to them being able to do their job effectively. Photo: 123rf.com
Social worker Wong (second from right) says unless humanitarian services like social work are a priority, people at the grassroots – namely, the poor and needy – will continue to be negatively impacted. Photo: HISTeam
Salma admits that social work, as it stands now, can be a thankless job. Photo: Pusat Perkhidmatan Wanita
Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz head of Medical Sosial Work Department Intan Nurhaila Meor Safari. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
It is important for social work to be regulated and social workers trained and qualified, says Intan. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
Holistic Integrated Services Team (HISTeam) founder and CEO Andrew Wong. Photo: HISTeam
