Social workers are essential for Singapore. So why don’t we treat them that way?

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common perception that it is not a “prestigious” profession like “finance, banking or IT”....social workers are often lumped together with vocational workers. Many Singaporeans still look down on jobs in technical and community care fields. As a result, these roles are often undervalued and underpaid. 

reports in the media add to this misunderstanding by often highlighting dramatic crisis cases, while ignoring the important day-to-day work that social workers do

Singapore’s sixth president, Mr S R Nathan, began working life in the 1950s as a medical social worker and became a welfare officer for maritime workers, before moving to other appointments in the civil service. 

Raising salaries may be one factor, but recognition and career progression are seen as more critical ...The prestigious Outstanding Social Worker Award is one example of such recognition. Corporations, as part of their CSR (corporate social responsibility), could fund sabbaticals and fellowship schemes for mid-career social workers to allow them to pursue adjacent interests and career paths. 

In a world where our interactions are increasingly digitalised and automated, social workers provide comforting “high touch” human care for complex social needs

Qns: 

1. ‘Essential workers are not appreciated enough in your country.’ Do you agree? (NYJC 2025 J2 MYE P1)

2. ‘People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.’ To what extent is this true in your society? (Cam. 2016)