A social worker and activist who was jailed over an offence linked to the protests in 2019 has had his social work license suspended for five years, the longest revocation yet under new laws meant to protect national security.
Lau Ka-tung said on Facebook and Instagram on Sunday that his social work license had been suspended for five years, with the licensing board citing his conviction and its impact on the sector’s reputation.
“Earlier, national security [police] met with me,” he wrote in Chinese. “It’s not convenient for me to say any more than that.”
The Social Workers Registration Board was overhauled in July, with authorities saying changes were needed to better protect national security. As part of the overhaul, the Social Workers Registration Ordinance was amended after a bill was unanimously passed into law by the city’s opposition-free legislature. It now includes an expanded section on the board’s powers to disqualify a social worker convicted of an offence that “may bring the profession… into disrepute.”
Social workers can be deregistered permanently or for up to five years. Those convicted of national security crimes “must” have their registrations refused, the ordinance states.
In October, the board suspended eight people with convictions related to the protests and unrest in 2019, most of which were linked to unlawful assembly charges.
8-month jail term
Lau was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer during a demonstration in July 27, 2019, as the city was in the midst of protests and unrest over an extradition bill.
The social worker, who was accused of hindering officers by standing in front of a police cordon and striking an officer’s shield, was convicted in June 2020 and jailed for a year. His sentence was reduced to eight months following a successful appeal.
A search for Lau’s name on the Social Workers Registration Board’s list of social workers on Monday returned the remark, “renewal pending approval.” His registration expired in November.
Lau was a former social worker at Good Neighbourhood North District Church, which supported protesters in 2019, until December 2020.
The July overhaul shook up the composition of the licensing body, increasing the percentage of government-appointed members from 40 per cent to more than 60 per cent.
Before that, most of the board’s members were elected by social workers. In recent years, all came from the city’s pro-democracy camp.
While a survey ahead of the overhaul showed that most social workers were against the changes, there was little vocal opposition from the sector. Social work veterans said many who did not agree with the changes were scared to speak out, citing security laws and fear that doing so may impact their jobs.
