Explainer | Will cut in number of elected members on Hong Kong’s social workers’ board damage autonomy?

Critics react to social work board changes after claims it has failed to get tough on professionals convicted of national security offences

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Some fear legislative changes to the registration board for social workers will damage its autonomy. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 11:35pm, 3 Jul 2024Updated: 12:33am, 4 Jul 2024

Hong Kong’s social work watchdog is to get more government-appointed members on its board and be empowered to quickly deregister people convicted of national security offences under a bill passed by lawmakers on Wednesday.

The changes followed accusations from authorities that the Social Workers Registration Board had failed to take firm action to prevent people convicted of national security offences from registering to join the profession.

The government and its allies argued the changes would restore the industry’s professionalism and credibility, as members were seen by some to be sympathetic to the 2019 social unrest.

But critics warned that the move would undermine the profession’s autonomy.

Here is what you need to know about the amendments made to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance, the implications and why authorities are so keen to press ahead with the changes.

1. What are the amendments?

The Social Worker Registration Ordinance empowers the board, which oversees the city’s 27,000-plus social workers, to handle their registration, as well as disciplinary matters.