In just six months under the revamped Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB), Hong Kong’s licensing body for social workers has disqualified or suspended the licenses of 20 professionals for up to five years. Many of these cases are linked to protest-related convictions, with several citing national security grounds, sparking widespread public concern.
Disqualifications Tied to 2019 Protests
By October 2024, the SWRB had disqualified three social workers permanently and suspended 11 others for periods ranging from three months to three years. Among them were Sze Tak-loy and Ben Chung, pro-democracy figures convicted of conspiring to commit subversion. Eight others faced suspensions tied to the 2019 anti-extradition protests, including incidents during the Polytechnic University siege. Charges included unlawful assembly and assaulting police, with sentences ranging from probation to 14 months in prison.
By December, an additional six social workers were disqualified or suspended for up to five years. Although the SWRB did not disclose specific charges, it stated that the individuals’ actions had harmed the profession’s reputation and involved offences punishable by imprisonment.
Increased Scrutiny and National Security Ties
The SWRB was restructured in July 2024, granting government-appointed members a majority and barring individuals convicted of national security offences from holding licenses. Social workers in Hong Kong, numbering around 28,000, must renew their licenses annually, with the board empowered to deny renewals based on criminal convictions.
Concerns Over Retroactive Punishments and Unclear Standards
The Social Workers’ General Union (SWGU) has criticised the SWRB’s retrospective approach, arguing that it undermines the inclusive principles of the social work profession. SWGU President Cheung Chi-wai raised concerns over the lack of transparency regarding disqualification criteria and reinstatement processes.
Several affected social workers expressed confusion about how to reapply for their licenses after suspension, fearing that their past convictions would result in permanent disqualification. Despite growing criticism, the SWRB has declined to disclose data on rejected license renewals or provide the reasoning behind its decisions, stating only that disqualified individuals can reapply and that each case will be assessed individually.
Appeals Rare, Process Under Question
Although the SWRB claims disqualified individuals can appeal in court, none of the 20 affected social workers have done so. Board Chair Hui Chung-shing defended the reviews, citing past flaws where individuals with serious convictions, including prison sentences of up to five years, were allowed to retain their licenses. “Actions have consequences,” Hui said, justifying the crackdown.
Erosion of Professional Autonomy
Critics argue the disqualifications align with broader efforts to tighten control over professional bodies, particularly those linked to the 2019 protests. With 20 disqualifications in six months and unclear reinstatement pathways, concerns about systemic overreach and the erosion of professional autonomy continue to grow.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press, The Collective