The Czech Republic is facing a critical shortage of social workers. To address this issue, the Ministry of Labour has proposed a new law aimed at making the profession more attractive and establishing clear standards for training and practice. However, the proposed timeline has sparked debate.
The Ministry of Labour has introduced a draft law for consultation, aiming to clearly define the role’s requirements and the qualifications needed. This is part of an effort to make the profession more appealing. Currently, approximately 400 social workers are needed in the Czech Republic, according to the Association of Social Service Providers.
The ministry also intends to compile an overview of the number of qualified professionals in the country to better target recruitment efforts for social services. Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL) told the news channel ČT24 that the law aims to create better conditions to encourage more people to pursue the profession.
While the proposal has been generally welcomed, there has been criticism regarding the timeline. Jiří Horecký, President of the Association of Social Service Providers, expressed concern that Parliament may not discuss the law before elections. He lamented the fact that the draft was only introduced now, as the parliamentary session ends in June, and the consultation phase will not conclude until spring.
On a positive note, additional financial resources for social services have been allocated for this year. Two billion crowns will support both contribution-based and non-profit organisations, improving conditions for workers.
The new law is designed to address the shortage of social workers in the Czech Republic and strengthen social services in the long term. However, it remains to be seen whether the reform will be implemented in a timely manner.
