Social Workers Say 2,000 Will Join Monday Strike

An alliance of social workers said on Friday that at least 2,000 people in the sector will strike on Monday, in protest at what they call a ‘downplaying’ of the ongoing turmoil by the government.

The Anti-Extradition Bill Social Welfare Alliance said 33 organisations will close down temporarily, while 39 others will only provide limited services.

They hope the strike will press the administration to respond to people’s demands, including the dropping of riot and other charges against protesters.

Tonica Wong, a spokesperson for the alliance, said this strike was a “first step”.

“If [Chief Executive] Carrie Lam doesn’t respond to our request, we may advance our action,” she said. “So, we hope to see what the government will do after Monday. We will try to organise another strike if she doesn’t respond.”

Meanwhile, social worker groups say they’re concerned about reports of social workers being arrested during recent protests.

They expressed their concerns in a statement issued by the Hong Kong Social Workers Association, Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the office of legislator Shiu Ka-chun, who represents the social welfare functional constituency.

They called on the government and police to respect and support the work of social workers. It said social workers were attending protest sites to try to reduce conflicts, and to provide immediate emotional support and counselling.