Workers come first for unionist
WINNING a Legislative Council seat marks a new stage in unionist Chan Yuen-han's long fight for grassroots interests.
The crusade by the 48-year-old dates back about two decades when she first joined the women's affairs committee of the pro-China Federation of Trade Unions.
Throughout the years, she has become active in fighting for the interests of not only women workers but other grassroots labour issues.
Now she can voice her concerns in the legislature.
And like all other lawmakers, Ms Chan has the right to put forward a private member's bill if the Government turns a deaf ear to her demands.
However, Ms Chan said she would co-ordinate her work inside and outside the council so she would not lose touch with her supporters.
'I still want to keep in close touch with workers, women, the unemployed. I still want to talk to them face to face, otherwise I won't be able to share their feelings,' she said.
Although she was the only one of the four leaders of the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong who succeeded in winning a seat in Legco, she preferred to focus on her work as a unionist rather than her role as a DAB member.
Ms Chan said three-quarters of her Legco work would be devoted to labour interests.
'But that doesn't mean I won't do or say anything for the party,' she said.
Although Ms Chan has not been sworn in as a legislator, her already busy schedule has become more hectic.
That means she will have less time to take care of her mother, who suffered a stroke four years ago, and that is why she was hesitant about running for Legco.
'I have been trying to tell my mother to go to bed before I get back home at night, but recently she insists on waiting until I'm home,' she said. 'The other night when I went back home at about 12.30 in the morning, my mother was crying and told me I would die if I kept working so hard.' Ms Chan said she would still keep at least one Sunday a month free to spend with her mother.
