Veteran unionist Chan Yuen-han is planning to set up a think-tank to voice her views on labour rights and town planning after leaving the legislature. Ms Chan said she had been discussing the idea with a group of academics and district activists, and would come up with a concrete plan in several months' time. Those spearheading the project include Wong Tai Sin district councillor Lam Man-fai and Wallace Chang Ping-hung, associate professor with the Chinese University's department of architecture. Ms Chan, vice-president of the Federation of Trade Unions, ranked second on the federation's ticket contesting Kowloon East in the Legco election early this month, but failed to retain her seat because the 50,320 votes the ticket mustered were only sufficient for chairman Wong Kwok-kin to be elected. Ms Chan said the think-tank would focus on studies on development of a 'local community economy' and proposals to create job opportunities. 'I want to change the mindset of Hong Kong people and the government that land can only be used for residential and commercial development,' she said, 'Instead, alternative land use can promote development of a local community economy and provide job opportunities.' In 2003, financial secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung promoted local community economy development, covering a wide range of activities including cultural, recreational, social and personal services. Ms Chan said town planning and conservation would be other major concerns of the think-tank. This year, the Community Alliance on Kai Tak Development led by Ms Chan successfully lobbied the government to abandon plans to cement over part of the Kai Tak Nullah in Wong Tai Sin. Ms Chan, 61, was one of the most popular lawmakers in the Beijing-friendly camp. She said she had no regrets over losing her Legco seat because she was happy to take a break after serving in the legislature for 13 years. She said she had thought about not seeking re-election after she was returned in the 2000 election. 'It's time for me to make way for younger members of our union,' she said, adding that she did not believe her influence on government policies would decline after she stood down from Legco. Ms Chan, a vocal critic of the government's labour policies, warned she might take more radical action, such as staging protests, if the administration disregarded public opinion on labour and livelihood issues. Mr Wong, a newcomer to the legislature, admitted his style was relatively mild compared with that of Ms Chan. 'But it doesn't mean I will not stand firm on key labour issues,' he said. He said he and fellow FTU lawmakers would urge the government to introduce a statutory minimum wage for security guards and cleaners as soon as possible. He believed the bone of contention in the next stage of discussion would be the level of the minimum wage. 'Some employers' representatives on the Labour Advisory Board want the level to be set at slightly above HK$4,000, but we find it unacceptable,' Mr Wong said.
