[Albania] Parlamentary hearing session on the "Law on the Order of Social Work in Albania"

In November 20th, 2020, the Albanian parliamentary commission “On the Work, Social Issues and Health” organized a hearing session concerning the proposed changes in the law on “The order of the Social Worker” of 2017. The session gathered representatives from the interest groups such as academia, local and international organizations working in the social field as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs as the responsible institution in applying th law.

The first Law on Social Workers Order was approved in 2014 and re-approved with several amendments in 2017. Nevertheless, because of delicate issues related mainly to the licensing of the professionals without a BA diploma in Social Work, this law has been a matter of debate and discussions between several interest groups, delaying for 6 years the establishment and acting of the Social Order.  

Two were the main issues proposed for change in this hearing session, from the major interest group of Academia and supported by the rest of representatives, besides the MHSP; 1- The article no. 13 that mentions the establishment of the National Council of the Order and 2 – The article no. 19th which relates to the individuals who are acting as social workers. Another issue that came into the discussion was the need to push the process of approving the law as an immediate measure which will allow the regulation of this profession and therefore guaranty the improved quality in offering the social services in country.

The parliamentary group took into the considerations the suggestions and requests from the interest groups. The second suggestion mentioned above though, was decided to be passed unchanged, but with the promise from the MHSP that the article 19 will be designed carefully into a DCM (Decision of the Council of Ministries). In an upcoming date the draft law will be passed for approval to the Albanian Parliament.

The groups of interest consider this decision as a way of delaying again the starting of the functioning of the Social Work Order in Albania.