Welfare on the verge of shutdown? Severe worker shortage and services for people with disabilities will be harmed
The Union of Social Workers announced an expansion of sanctions amid a labor dispute over the implementation of the Welfare Services Law for people with disabilities. Social workers in local authorities will not cooperate with the Welfare Ministry's pilot, delaying new services for people with disabilities. The union cites a heavy caseload of 115,000 files handled by 550 workers and threatens a full shutdown.
The Union of Social Workers announced an expansion of sanctions as part of the labor dispute over the implementation of the Welfare Services Law for people with disabilities. Social workers in local authorities will not cooperate with the Welfare Ministry's pilot, which was supposed to begin in mid-October, and will not perform preparation or implementation activities. As a result, people with disabilities will not receive new services they are entitled to under the law, including personal accompaniment, household management guidance, assistance with social integration, and support for independent living. The union claims that the Welfare Ministry has not presented a solution to the heavy workloads and has not committed to additional personnel and resources. According to union data, 550 social workers handle approximately 115,000 files, an average of over 208 files per worker, and the number of files is expected to grow by 10% to 12% annually. Union chair Inbal Hermoni said that it is impossible to advance reform without the required personnel and resources. The union threatens that sanctions will continue until a full shutdown if no solution is found.