Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, after the passage of the Social Workers Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council this afternoon (July 3):

Reporter: Mr Sun, do you fear that this change will lead to existing social workers to resign and also discourage people from joining the industry, as some members have said about this amendment. Would this amendment also create more rifts in the society as it targets social workers who work with the public and also young people, especially with nearly all of the elected members in the body resigning before this amendment was passed? Thank you.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Thank you for your question. I think it is exactly the opposite. With the passage of the Amendment Bill, it provides a better, more secure foundation for the operation of the Social Workers Registration Board. We believe, with the Amendment Bill and the strengthened composition of the Social Workers Registration Board, it will encourage more young people to study social work and be a social worker. Secondly, with the Amendment Bill and a broadened Social Workers Registration Board, it will provide better protection and certainty to the profession. With this new Board, we believe it will strengthen the professional development of the whole profession and its role to ensure national security. Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:28

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