By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Guardian Senior Reporter, kdl@nasguard.com

Salary increases for social workers are on the way.

Minister of State for Social Development, Loretta Butler-Turner, announced in the House of Assembly yesterday that a new career path will be implemented in the department this fiscal year, which will bring the salaries of social workers on par with other public officers with similar qualifications, and will provide more appropriate compensation for the work they do.

During her budget contribution, the minister also reported that the problem of outstanding reclassification and promotions will also be dealt with.

"A recent exercise revealed that 108 officers are at the maximum of their salary scale and some have been at the maximum for 10 years, with the majority being at their maximum for three years. The long-standing promotions and reclassification for eligible, deserving officers will be completed in the upcoming fiscal year," Minister Butler said.

"The department had already commenced an exercise with the Department of Public Service on these and several other matters, and I know that staff will be happy when these are concluded. These, coupled with the introduction of the new career path, will provide a tremendous morale booster for staff."

In addition to adequate remuneration, social workers were also promised that suitable and comfortable housing will also be provided for them, as they continue to provide proper service to customers.

For a number of years, social workers have had to perform their duties in challenging working conditions. And while some departments have been relocated, others are expected to be transferred early in the new fiscal year.

Butler-Turner disclosed that Health Social Services, which occupied an old building on the corner of Shirley Street and Elizabeth Avenue, has moved to accommodations across the street in the Sassoon Building, which is spacious and affords a more conducive working environment for staff.

Additionally, the School Welfare Division, which shared accommodation with the Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services on Thompson Boulevard, has been moved to the National Insurance Board building on Robinson Road. Also occupying this building are the Senior Citizens Division and Community Outreach Center "B", which were previously housed in the National Insurance Board building on Wulff Road.

In addition, the Children and Family Services Division is poised to be relocated to the RND Plaza on John F. Kennedy Drive. The lease agreement has already been signed and the necessary arrangements are being made for the division to move early in the fiscal year.

"This will allow for the division to be housed under one roof, as currently a portion of the division is housed in the Clarence Bain Building, with another portion in the Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services building on Thompson Boulevard," Butler-Turner said.

She explained that the Department of Social Services in Freeport is in dire need of additional accommodations, as the current one is "woefully inadequate" and the staff is working under "dreadful conditions".

Minister Butler-Turner disclosed that provisions have been made for an increase in the allocation for office rental accommodations in the budget, to cover the new and proposed accommodations.