Social workers fear a stipend boost comes with strings attached
Association raises flags over conditions tied to social work students' stipend hike
The social workers' association on Friday expressed concern over conditions it said are tied to an increase in stipends for students.
Last week, 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.
There are around 50 students, spread across the four-year social work courses offered by the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.
These students will see their monthly stipend jump from the current €196 to €440, as their profession is bumped up to “high priority” status – recognising the country’s need for more social workers, the media was told at a press conference.
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.
MASW has been made aware of the terms by multiple people, who are also concerned that the contract would tie the student to one government agency. The association sought clarifications about such terms and conditions from the government to no avail.
It is asking whether the stipend will be linked to professional working contracts and whether all social work students across all years of study at both MCAST and the University of Malta will benefit equally, no matter whether their placement is with a government agency or registered NGOs.
"MASW represents the voice of social workers and their clients, and we believe that any conditions must safeguard their best interests," the association said, asking to be consulted before final decisions are made.
Questions have been sent to the education and family ministries.