Moldovan president attends National Forum of Social Protection Professionals

President Maia Sandu has emphasized the role of social protection professionals in supporting vulnerable people and building a social system that is closer to people’s needs. The head of state today made statements to this effect at the National Forum of Social Protection Professionals, organized by the Labour and Social Protection Ministry, in the context of the sector’s professional day.

Maia Sandu said that the Professional Day of Social Protection Workers is, first and foremost, about humanity and the ability to support people facing difficult situations.

“Humanity means not remaining indifferent when someone around us is going through a difficult situation. It means looking beyond the problem they are facing, respecting their dignity and trying to help them move forward. You turn humanity into a profession. You stand alongside children who need safety, older people who can no longer manage on their own and people with disabilities who need support to lead as independent a life as possible,” the president said.

According to the head of state, the work of social workers requires both knowledge and professionalism, as well as the ability to listen, show empathy and be patient.

“Sometimes it means entering homes where problems have accumulated over many years, and the simple fact that someone comes and listens without judging can make an enormous difference. For this work, which is often difficult and not always sufficiently visible, I would like to thank you,” Maia Sandu said.

The president noted that the pandemic, the war at the border of Moldova and the energy crisis had placed pressure on people, especially vulnerable individuals, while social protection professionals had been among those called upon to respond quickly to emerging situations.

In the context, Maia Sandu spoke about the “Restart” reform, through which a transformation of the social assistance system was launched.

“The Restart reform initiated a comprehensive transformation of social assistance, aimed at building a better-organized, more professional system that is closer to communities. A system in which the assistance a person receives does not depend on the locality where they live and that responds better to each person’s real needs,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu highlighted the development of services for people with disabilities, the expansion of mobile teams and case management, as well as the growing number of specialists involved in child protection.

“Mobile teams are providing support to an ever-growing number of beneficiaries. Case management has been expanded, so that people’s problems can be monitored and resolved. But no problem, no reform can be better than the people who implement it,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state stressed the need for the sector’s continued professionalization. According to her, both specialists’ training and continuing education, as well as the development of new areas of specialization are important.

“We need young people to see social work as a profession to which they can dedicate themselves. And we need those who have worked in the system for many years, in order to feel that their experience and dedication are appreciated,” the president said.

Another topic addressed by Maia Sandu was supporting people who are able to work in finding employment and becoming self-sufficient. She mentioned the expansion of measures to support people entering or returning to the labour market, including women returning to work after a period devoted to caring for their families.

The president also emphasized efforts to combat undeclared work and transition employees to legal employment.

“This is a positive development, because it means they benefit from the rights to which they are entitled are protected when they fall ill, contribute toward their pensions and have greater security for themselves and their families. Ultimately, for those who are able to work, a stable legal job is one of the best forms of social protection,” Maia Sandu said.

According to the head of state, the social protection system must combine support for vulnerable people with measures that enable those who are able to work to become self-sufficient and secure their future through employment.

“We can change institutions, build digital systems, and create new services. But for a person who needs help, the state takes on a human face only through the workers they meet,” Maia Sandu said.

The Moldovan president stressed that people’s trust in the social protection system also depends on the professionalism and integrity of those who work directly with beneficiaries.

“Through the social worker who crosses their threshold, the specialist who helps them find a job and the official who listens to their problem and looks for a solution. Trust in this system depends on your professionalism and integrity,” Maia Sandu said.

At the end of her speech, the head of state thanked social protection professionals for their work and wished them the strength to continue it and to see its results in the lives of the people they help.

The National Forum of Social Protection Professionals will be organized annually, with the Professional Day of Social Protection Workers being marked on the third Sunday of September. This year’s event brought together representatives of the entire system, in order to exchange experience, present reforms and innovations, and strengthen the professional community.