Modern times?

Abstract

This paper discusses issues related to social work on the basis of an analysis of the changes that are taking place in the contemporary world of labor. At present we are experiencing a new economic cycle and the emergence of a new social issue resulting from a new mode of production that has determined distinct patterns of capital accumulation. All these changes entailed a reduction in the role of the state, which has caused the establishment and growth of instability and fragility in the lives of Brazilian workers. Paradoxically, the governmental agenda has changed its priorities. Instead of guaranteeing mechanisms to implement policies of full employment and universal social policies, there has been a predominance of residual policies, which are either selective or focused on extreme poverty, as a mechanism to minimize the impact resulting from neoliberal policies. In fact, with the advent of such changes in the world of labor social workers are facing the need to develop new strategies of intervention, which require more professional competence and a better knowledge of new forms of management, rather than restricting their practice to the scarce social benefits. It is necessary to establish an indissoluble link between the profession, knowledge and reality, with includes an emphasis on investigative activities as tools for adequate social interventions.

Key words: social work, neoliberalism, social policy.