Social Workers Union Boycotts Ministry Pilot Over Staffing Shortages

The Union of Social Workers announced Sunday it will not cooperate with a pilot program launching this week by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services. The pilot is intended to prepare for the implementation of a new law concerning welfare services for people with disabilities, which was passed in 2022 but has yet to take effect.

The union argues that the pilot, initially set to launch in seven municipalities and expand to approximately 40 more in the coming months, will increase the workload on social workers specializing in disability services. They point out that even before the new law, social workers in this field already handle an average of 200 cases. The union fears the law, which aims to regulate all services for the estimated 200,000 people with disabilities in Israel, will increase demand for these services, further burdening staff.

"It is impossible to advance a significant reform without the manpower and resources required for its implementation," stated Inbal Hermoni, chairwoman of the union. "We cannot assign more and more tasks to social workers without providing them with the necessary positions and conditions."

The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services, however, claims the new system, which includes an online application process for disability recognition, is designed to ease the burden on social services departments. Dr. Tali Borla, director of the Diagnosis and Recognition Service, explained that the new process will be shorter and simpler, with applications handled by statutory bodies rather than requiring initial meetings with social workers. The ministry also stated that municipalities participating in the pilot have committed to appointing "disability supporters" to act as liaisons and assist with the recognition process.

Union officials reject this assessment. Efrat Rotem, a national division director at the union, argued that the law's encouragement of independent living and community integration will actually increase the demand for social workers to help individuals find necessary services like employment and recreation. She believes the ministry is obscuring the problem and that the only real solution is to increase the number of social workers.

An earlier report by the State Comptroller in July highlighted difficulties faced by municipalities in filling positions, exacerbated by the "Swords of Iron" war. The report also included a survey where social workers reported significant burnout and an inability to provide adequate care, partly due to the lack of defined maximum caseloads for family social workers, unlike other specialized roles.