Social Workers’ Day in Tajikistan Date in the current year: January 25, 2024

Social work is a profession concerning itself with social welfare. In a broad sense, a social worker is anyone employed to ensure social security. According to the International Labor Organization, social security covers support for elderly citizens, support for families with children, universal healthcare, sick and parental leave, unemployment and disability benefits, and workers’ compensation.

The main goal of social welfare is to ensure a basic level of well-being for all citizens. In addition to social security, it may include subsidized social services, such as free education, public housing and vocational training.

In developing countries, the term social protection is often used instead of social security, since these countries often lack formal social security arrangements due to the fact that the informal sector makes up a significant portion of their economies. The main goal of social protection in developing countries is to alleviate poverty through state-sponsored programs.

Social Worker’s Day in Tajikistan was officially established in 2012. Its celebration was initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population. In 2013, social protection responsibilities were handed from the Ministry of Labor to the Ministry of Health, which was renamed the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population.

There are several agencies responsible for different aspects of social protection in Tajikistan. They include, for example, the Agency of Social Protection of the Population under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Agency of Social Insurance and Pension under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Tajikistan’s social welfare system includes, for example, monthly pensions and benefits (retirement pensions, disability benefits, survivor benefits), compensatory payments (unemployment benefits, utility subsidies), and other social protection measures. A significant part of the public funds allocated from the state budget for social protection is spent on pensions and benefits.

The state targeted social assistance program, adopted in 2018, is one of the key areas of priority for the social welfare agencies of Tajikistan. According to the State Statistics Agency of Tajikistan, over 30% of the country’s population lived below the poverty line as of 2017. It was estimated that targeted assistance to low-income families would help to reduce the poverty level to 20% by 2020.

On the occasion of their professional holiday, Tajikistani social workers accept congratulations and gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Those who have distinguished themselves during the past year receive departmental awards, certificates of honor, and cash prizes.