Uiryeong-gun, Leading the Way in Improving Social Workers' Treatment in Rural Areas

Highest Military Region Support Amount for Simultaneous Payment of Qualification Allowance and Remuneration Training Expenses

Otaewan Oh, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, is taking a commemorative photo with the awardees at the 23rd Social Welfare Day ceremony.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] “When social workers receive good treatment, the care for beneficiaries inevitably improves!”

Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, is implementing a policy that provides the highest qualification allowances and continuing education fees for social workers among the county areas in the province, receiving high praise not only from social workers but also from the disadvantaged residents who receive their assistance.

Since this year, Uiryeong-gun has been simultaneously providing qualification allowances and continuing education fees to improve the treatment and boost the morale of social workers.

Following a proposal from the Social Workers Association last year, the county has been supporting about 180 social workers in the area with a monthly qualification allowance of 30,000 KRW and an annual continuing education fee of about 50,000 KRW starting this year. The county expresses ‘respect’ by providing appropriate treatment commensurate with the role of social workers in response to their poor working conditions.

Amid this positive atmosphere, the 23rd Social Welfare Day ceremony held on the 21st at the Uiryeong County Citizens’ Hall was more warm and friendly than ever.

County Governor Oh Tae-wan said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the awardees who have quietly practiced love in various fields to create a community where we live together,” and added, “We will make twice the effort to boost the morale and improve the treatment of social workers.”