Hong Kong to review childcare scheme as lawmakers warn alleged abuse of infant girl could damage district babysitter programme
- Labour and welfare secretary Chris Sun takes action as babysitter, 33, arrested after nine-month-old girl found to have blood clot on her brain
- Bill Tang, a lawmaker and welfare services panel member, said he fears alleged incident will harm reputation of community nanny programme
The authorities made the move on Sunday as lawmakers warned that the incident could undermine public confidence over the neighbourhood support childcare programme and appealed to the government to set up a more comprehensive training framework for operators and more closely monitor service quality.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said authorities were “highly concerned” by the incident and had demanded a report from Yan Oi Tong, the NGO in charge of operating the childcare programme.
“We wish the baby girl a speedy recovery and express our deepest sympathies to the parents,” he said. “The current training guidelines and standards will come under review as the government increases the incentive payment of community nannies in April.”
He added that he believed Yan Oi Tong had provided training in line with guidelines. But he declined to comment further because of the police investigation.