IFSW
– Europe - Press Release from Delegates Meeting 2014 Madrid, Spain
Cuts in expenditure on social
services constitute false economy.
Social
workers from the length and breadth of the European Economic Area (EEA) are
assembling in Madrid for the annual Delegates Meeting of the European Region of
the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) which takes place between
16th and 18th May. The meeting is being hosted by the
Federation’s Spanish member, Consejo General de Trabajo Social.
In
the forefront of a packed agenda will be the impact swingeing cuts in public
expenditure in the wake of the financial crisis are continuing to have on those
requiring health and welfare services and on dedicated professionals struggling
to satisfy the needs of increasing numbers of people without the necessary
resources. This situation disproportionally affects those citizens who are
already most disadvantaged and excluded and diminishes the level of support
available to people of all ages at times of ill health or other crisis.
Poverty
levels in the EU have increased by 10 million in 5 years to reach 124 million –
one European in four. In addition, “there are now wide inequalities in the
distribution of income in the EU: on average, the top 20 %
earned 5.1 times as much income as the bottom 20 % in 2012.” and “unemployment has increased sharply in Europe, from a
rate of 7.1 % in 2008 to a peak of 10.9 % in 2013” or 26 million people. (Taking Stock of the Europe 2020
Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth – European Commission – 5th
March 2014).
For
the most part social work takes place behind the scenes in the privacy of
people’s homes and behind closed doors in other settings such as hospitals and
residential homes. However the
present situation is so desperate, particularly in the Troika countries –
Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Cyprus, that many social workers have felt
compelled to take to the streets to voice their concerns through campaigns like
the successful Orange Tide movement here in Spain.
IFSW
Europe’s President, Cristina Martins, said “Social workers are gravely
concerned over the effect this situation is having on the well-being of so many
citizens, evidenced by spiralling suicide rates, family break-up and a host of
other social problems, many of which will have life-long consequences for those
affected. Failure to support
people at times of need not only results in avoidable suffering and distress
but invariably gives rise to greater problems in the future. The draconian cuts
that have been made in social services represent false economy as additional
expenditure will almost inevitably be required in the longer term.”
Social
workers have a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults and to challenge
the abuse of human rights wherever this occurs. An issue likely to be prominent
in the meeting is that when they do so they often find themselves in conflict
with people in positions of power and authority including their own employers.
Greater recognition of the onerous responsibility social workers carry on
behalf of the rest of society will be demanded along with an assurance that
they do not continue to be unfairly victimised and branded by ill-informed
commentators as troublemakers who are somehow or another responsible for the
complex and challenging problems they dedicate their professional lives to
resolving.
A
message to incoming Members of the European Parliament will be formulated at
the meeting calling for radical measures to put the European 2020 Strategy to
eliminate poverty and social exclusion and reduce inequality back on track
along with action to ensure that social workers receive the support and
resources they require to deliver the high quality of services that all
citizens are entitled to expect at times of need.
16th May 2014
For further information
contact:
IFSW
Europe e.V. is one of the five regional divisions of IFSW. IFSW Europe e.V. is
a registered legal body, and has 40 member associations in 35 countries, with a
total of 165,600 social workers - the membership is representative as it covers
all corners of Europe. IFSW Europe e.V. is governed by the Delegates Meeting
which meets once a year and includes representatives from each of the member
organisations. The member organisations elect the Regional President for a four
year term. In addition they elect an Executive of five people which is
responsible for the day to day activities of the Federation in Europe. The
Executive committee is supported by the Honorary Secretary.
