GOVERNOR Chris Patten is expected to be met with a storm of protest this morning over the controversial phasing-out of a community development project.
Social workers will submit a petition to Mr Patten and Executive Councillors as part of a series of protests planned to encourage support for the Neighbourhood Level Community Development Project.
The social workers believe the Executive Council will discuss the project today or in the next two weeks.
In July, the Home Affairs Branch revealed it would submit to the council this month a proposal on phasing out the project.
Last night, dozens of social workers held an overnight vigil outside the Central Government Offices in Central. They were due to stay there all night unless a No 8 typhoon signal was hoisted.
'We are all very keen to know about the future of the project - whether it will be cut, maintained or expanded,' said Lilian Law Suk-kwan, of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
'We hope to try our best to win approval from the councillors, otherwise thousands of people living in deprived areas will suffer.' The project, started in 1978, provides counselling, community education and development programmes for people in the territory's poorest areas.