Democrat lawmaker Law Chi-kwong may be challenged in the Legco elections by a social worker who accuses him of failing to safeguard the interests of the social welfare constituency by not securing enough funding from the Government.
Sumly Chan Yuen-sum, a district councillor and frontline social worker, confirmed yesterday he was considering competing for the seat because of what he said was Mr Law's poor performance.
Mr Law, who is head of the Social Work Department at the University of Hong Kong, has represented the social welfare sector in the Legislative Council since 1995. Mr Chan said Mr Law had not reflected the concerns of social workers over the Government's lump-sum grant proposal, which they say will lead to a reduction in subsidies to the 186 non-governmental social services organisations.
The Fighting for Social Welfare Alliance, which represents social workers, strongly objects to the proposal since many experienced social workers might be laid off.
'Mr Law only sits inside the office and he does not understand the front-line social workers' situation,' Mr Chan said.
Mr Law said yesterday he welcomed more competition for the seat. 'Voters would then spend some time studying my ideas,' he said. He said he opposed the Government's proposal on lump-sum grants but he would not rule out the idea completely as several universities had adopted such a financial arrangement.
