Hong Kong social workers ‘not targets for repression’: outgoing federation chief

Hong Kong’s social workers are “not a target for repression” by the government and can continue advocating for policies free from political interference, the outgoing head of the city’s largest social service federation has said, ahead of his retirement on Tuesday.

But Chua Hoi-wai, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and veteran policy advocate behind the setting up of the poverty commission, conceded that influencing the government had become more challenging, pointing to a paradigm shift in governance culture.

“I don’t think the government has made the social welfare sector or social workers a target for repression,” said the 61-year-old, who has been in the position for over 11 years.

“In fact, Hong Kong society is very supportive of social service organisations overall … regardless of political leanings.”

Chua stressed the council’s approach to advocacy was “rational”, keeping tabs on the pulse of society while understanding the government’s considerations in policymaking.

“We will continue to do policy advocacy using this approach, we don’t see any political pressure preventing us from doing this.”