The construction of protective glass walls to separate social workers from welfare applicants has begun at two district social security offices.
The move to put up defensive barriers comes after welfare cuts and attacks on welfare officers.
Civil servants' unions have raised concerns over the safety of their members after two welfare officers were assaulted by welfare recipients in August. Four more attacks were reported last month.
'After what happened in August we have had discussions with the unions, as well as the Building Department, which is responsible for the remodelling work,' a Social Welfare Department spokesman said yesterday.
'The current design is what we have come up with.'
Work on the barriers has already begun at the department's field offices in Tsz Wan Shan and San Po Kong.
