Table Social Work Profession Bill Now Rina Told

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Rina Harun said yesterday that the number of child protection officers under the social welfare department was grossly inadequate and needed to be increased immediately.PETALING JAYA: The Amanah women’s wing has urged women, family and community development minister Rina Harun to table the social work profession bill immediately to address the lack of child protection officers.
Amanah Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu said the lack of child protection officers was not a new issue as it had been identified by the Pakatan Harapan administration by Rina’s predecessor, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“(However,) Rina should know that discussions about the need for child protection officers cannot be made without first understanding the importance of drafting and tabling the social work profession bill,” she said in a statement.
Yesterday, Rina said the number of child protection officers under the social welfare department was grossly inadequate and needed to be increased immediately.
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She said the current ratio of one officer to handle 50 to 100 cases of child abuse and neglect was insufficient, Bernama reported.
Aiman said Rina should have been proactive in ministerial or Cabinet meetings so that issues faced by the public could be solved responsibly and effectively.
“Her raising issues does not portray her as a minister who has carried out her duties and responsibilities. They should have been managed and dealt with sooner,” she said.
Aiman also stressed the significance of the government establishing a separate ministry for children.
She also called for the government to table a report to be submitted at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting on Malaysia’s shortcomings, achievements and plans for improving child welfare in the country.
Earlier, DAP’s Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said Rina should not just be releasing statements on the issue but should instead be “getting the job done” as a minister with executive powers. - FMT

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