Social work board seeks clarity after coming under fire

The process of approving applications within the Social Workers Registration Board has been clear and effective all along, chairman Ng Yut-ming says, but the board wants clarifications from the administration.

It came after Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han named and shamed the board for "deviating" from the Social Workers Registration Ordinance after it failed to take concrete steps to ban national security convicts from becoming social workers.

Sun slammed the board for approving the applications of people who committed serious offenses despite "strong opposition from some members," and appointing a social worker charged with rioting to its disciplinary committee panel by a majority vote.

He criticized the board for standing still in promoting social workers' professional development after it ceased the implementation of the Voluntary Continuing Professional Development Scheme for registered social workers at the end of last year.

Sources earlier said the administration will table a bill to amend the composition of the statutory board within the week, which will increase the number of members appointed by the chief executive - currently at six out of 15 board members.

Ng said on radio yesterday that all convicts, including those guilty under the national security law, will have to be unanimously agreed by all board members, including those appointed and a representative of the director of social welfare.

The board approved the application of Chen Hung-sau, who is facing a retrial for a rioting charge.

Ng said Hong Kong is a law-based society upholding the rule of the presumption of innocence and will not deprive a person's rights just because of someone else's accusation.

He described the selection process as "clear and effective," adding he had written to Sun hoping for a clarification.

Chen's case has been adjourned to September. Chen emphasized that she has "not been convicted of any offense and might be acquitted."

The Labour and Welfare Bureau also told lawmakers yesterday it has earmarked HK$100 million to fund employees of subsidized organizations to go on national studies programs and mainland exchange tours.

Lawmaker Lam So-wai, a registered social worker, acknowledged that the fund could help the social welfare sector promote patriotism while expressing concerns about aligning the programs to meet the needs of various organizations.

Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming said the Social Welfare Department will commission intermediary units to assist in organizing exchange tours, the earliest of which would be held later in the month.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com