New cabinet of social workers watchdog starts three-year term

Herman Hui Chung-shing and Grace Chan Man-yee were appointed as the chair and deputy chair of the Social Workers Registration Board on Friday, two days after the Legislative Council passed a bill to revamp the governing body. 

The other 10 new members include Chan Chong Lai, Anna May Chan Mei-lan, Amy Chow Yin-man, Fong Cheung-fat , Fredrick Lai Wing-hoi, Kevin Lau Chung-hang, Patricia Lau, Roy Lo Wa-kei, Annie Tam Kam-lan, Barry Wong Man-sing. 

Tam is the former Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Lai is the former head of the Caritas Social Work Services Division, and Wong is the executive director of Lok Kwan Social Service. 

All three of them are from pro-establishment social workers’ group Connecting Hearts. 

Their appointments will take effect on Friday (Jul 5) for a term of three years after they are sworn-in in the morning. 

“The newly appointed members come from diverse backgrounds. I expect that they will bring in a broader and more balanced participation on the board to ensure that public interest will be safeguarded,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said.