Government confirms social workers' stipend boost comes with strings attached
Students opting for higher stipends will be tied to an employment contract
The government has confirmed fears by the social workers' association that the increase in stipends for students, announced at a press conference, is tied to conditions that have not yet been made public.
Last month, the Education Ministry announced that stipends for social work students will more than double from next month, as authorities step up efforts to attract recruits to the profession.
Welcoming the announcement about the new category for social work students, the Maltese Association of Social Workers, however, expressed concern over terms and conditions tied to the increased stipend, which it said were not made public by the government.
The association sought clarifications about such terms and conditions from the government to no avail.
In replies to Times of Malta, an Education Ministry spokesperson confirmed that whoever opted for an increased stipend will be expected to "give back a minimum time of service".
The ministry also assured that the stipends board will be meeting MASW.
He noted that the increase in stipends was the result of a detailed study commissioned by the stipends board, which proposed, among others, the introduction of various courses that were classified as either prescribed or high priority for the country.
Under the new system, when sponsored student social workers successfully pass their interview, they will enter into an employment contract with either the public service or a designated social welfare sector post, or an employer in the social welfare sector, as approved by the government.
This contract is subject to two main conditions: two years of employment aimed at obtaining the warrant to practice as a professional social worker; and an additional year of employment immediately following the attainment of the said warrant, the spokesperson explained.
"The government is highly investing in this sector where social workers enjoy favourable conditions and salaries like never before.
"Whoever opts for this system is requested to give back a minimum time of service back. This is also common practice in other areas of study. Ultimately, it is a student’s choice whether to apply for the new stipend system or decide to opt for the current system."