Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9433)
The official title of Republic Act No. 9433 is the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers.
All registered social workers employed in the government service are covered under this Act.
A Registered Social Worker refers to a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Social Work or Master's Degree in Social Work who has passed the social work licensure examination.
The Social Work Management and Consultative Council is tasked to prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan applicable to public social workers including merit promotion, performance evaluation, training grants, job rotation, incentive awards, and social security policies.
The normal working hours shall not exceed eight hours a day or forty hours a week.
Time when a public social worker is placed on 'On Call' status is not considered hours worked but entitles the worker to an 'On Call' pay equivalent to 50% of the regular wage. No worker shall be placed on 'On Call' status beyond seven days per month.
Benefits include hazard allowance, subsistence/transportation allowance, housing and living quarters allowance, longevity pay, and a minimum annual clothing allowance.
Public social workers shall be protected against work-related injuries according to the Labor Code and Civil Service Law. Injuries incurred during overtime work are presumed work-related.
They are protected from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, age, beliefs, disability, or ethnicity. They can also join, organize, or assist in unions and are protected from interference or intimidation related to these activities.
Such persons shall be punished with a fine of not less than 20,000 pesos but not more than 40,000 pesos or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. If the offender is a public official, they may also be disqualified from office.