The Union of Social Workers on Friday issued a statement expressing concern about a series of attacks on social workers and demanding an urgent action plan to protect workers in the social welfare system.

The union said they are concerned about the current “lynching atmosphere” and condemned the “hate speech, threats and inappropriate messages” directed recently against social workers, who, they said, “work selflessly and enthusiastically” to help the most vulnerable social groups.

They are also particularly concerned about the “lack of action on the part of those who were expected to take urgent action” – without specifying who they are referring to – in order to “protect their personal and professional dignity” and called on the government and the ministry in charge of social care to put forward “an action plan to protect employees” in the system of social care and “provide for their security.”

The union issued the statement in response to public reactions following the death of a two-year-old girl from the town of Nova Gradiska, who was hospitalized and died of injuries apparently caused by her mother, who was later charged with grievous bodily harm. This happened after social workers assigned to her case had previously transferred the girl back to her biological parents after a period at a functioning foster family.

Meanwhile, nearly 200 social workers filed a criminal charge alleging “hate speech” against prominent activist and actress Jelena Veljaca and her colleague, Natasa Janjic-Medancic, over comments they made on social media accusing social workers for neglect in the case.