UNICEF and MASW urge swift action to professionalize Social Work in Malaysia
Call for tabling of long-awaited Social Work Profession Bill, in development since 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 October 2024 – Malaysia’s most vulnerable communities, including the thousands of children facing abuse and neglect, are at risk due to a critical shortage of qualified, trained social workers. The Social Work Profession Bill has yet to be tabled and social workers continue to await the recognition, resources and support they need to protect those in crisis. UNICEF and the Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) are calling on the Government to prioritize and pass this crucial legislation as announced by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.
“Social workers are unsung heroes on the frontline of child protection. Adequate funding for the social service workforce is crucial to ensure that social workers can effectively protect children and their families from falling through the cracks. The Bill is not just about the professionalization of social work; it’s about investing in the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens – children,”
The Bill’s importance is underscored by the needs of Malaysia’s most at-risk populations, including one in 20 children and one in 10 adults living with disabilities. Between 2020 and 2022, the Department of Social Welfare recorded 18,750 child abuse cases; while the Ministry of Health’s mental health hotline, HEAL, received 24,346 calls from January to August 2023.
Social work professionalization is advancing in the region Malaysia continues to lag behind its regional neighbours in recognizing social work as a profession. Countries like the Philippines (since 1965), Singapore (2009), Thailand (2013), and Indonesia (2019) have already enacted laws and policies to professionalize social work, enhancing support for their social service workforce. Malaysia’s social worker-to-population ratio stands at 1:8,576, far behind Singapore’s 1:3,448 and Australia (1:1,040).
As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, passing the Social Work Profession Bill would demonstrate its commitment to the 2020 Ha Noi Declaration and Roadmap, which promotes the professionalization of social work across the ASEAN region.
Investing in social work would not only be an investment in child protection, but also improve wellbeing and social justice for families, the elderly, and those living in poverty.
Funding social workers in Budget 2025
With Budget 2025 set to be tabled later this month, UNICEF and MASW urge the Government to allocate increased funding for social services and prioritize the passage of the Social Work Profession Bill. This Bill will introduce mandatory licensing and registration for social workers, establish a competency framework and create a formal mechanism for addressing complaints. By emphasizing MADANI values such as Care and Compassion, Respect, and Trust, this initiative supports the Ekonomi Madani that promotes good governance and an agile, collaborative public delivery system.
“This Bill represents more than just formal recognition of social workers – it represents a shift towards strengthening the systems that protects women and children in Malaysia. Social workers play a crucial role in promoting well-being and addressing social challenges. They are essential not only in social welfare, schools, health, and justice sectors but also in community development and policy formulation, where their professional values and expertise make a significant impact. Passing this Bill will help bridge the gaps in these vital services and support Malaysia’s broader development programme,”
UNICEF and MASW stand ready to continue working alongside the Government of Malaysia to advance social service workforce in the country. The professionalization of social work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as effective social services are crucial to achieving 65 percent of the 169 SDG targets. Without qualified social workers, Malaysia risks falling short on these global commitments.
~Ends~
Notes to the Editor
To learn more about the Social Work Profession Bill, please visit: https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/documents/factsheet-professionalising-social-work-malaysia
A 2015 UNICEF report “Estimating the Economic Burden of Violence against Children in East Asia and the Pacific’ estimated that violence against children – including abuse, neglect, domestic violence and death from maltreatment – costs countries in East Asia and the Pacific USD 209 billion annually. This loss, equal to two percent of the region’s GDP, highlights the severe economic consequences of child maltreatment.
UNICEF works with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, and MASW to build the capacity and capability of social workers, establishing a pool of social work trainers with expertise in child protection. As UNICEF marks 70 years in Malaysia, it remains committed to championing children’s rights and social welfare, calling on the Government to take immediate action in passing the Social Work Profession Bill.
About MASW
The Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) has championed professional social work for five decades, including actively providing training for social workers in government and civil society sectors. It is the only professional association for social workers, comprising of social work educators and practitioners.
For more information about MASW and its work, visit: https://www.masw.org.my Follow MASW on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Media contacts
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Threads.
