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Ng Kang-chung

The former head of a now-disbanded Hong Kong civil servants’ union that was supportive of anti-government protesters has quit before the deadline for employees to sign a declaration of allegiance.
Michael Ngan Mo-chau confirmed on Thursday he had resigned from his post as an officer in the Labour Department, a position drawing a salary of about HK$30,000 to HK$56,000 (US$7,200) a month.
In a post on the union’s Facebook page on Thursday, Ngan admitted his departure was over the government’s new requirement to declare loyalty.
Remaining defiant, he wrote: “I think what I can do in the present position is very limited. Therefore, there is no need to delude myself and others to stay in the government.”

His last working day was Thursday last week, he said.
“I only lose a job,” he wrote. “What is more important is that I have faced myself truly and chosen what is right to do.”
The government had earlier asked those who joined from July 1 last year to sign the declaration. Last month, the Civil Service Bureau also asked all employees hired before last July to take the pledge, a requirement under the national security law. They were allowed a grace period of a month.
Government supporters target civil servants behind extradition bill rally
Those who refused could be asked to quit, according to civil service minister Patrick Nip Tak-kuen.
Under new guidelines set out last month, authorities said anyone aiming to destabilise the administration or stir up anti-government sentiment that might trigger unrest would be violating their oaths.

Ngan first came to public attention in August 2019 when he co-organised a rally for government employees to voice their opposition to the extradition bill. The bill sparked months-long protests that year, which morphed into a wider anti-government movement. Authorities formally withdrew the bill in October 2019.
He subsequently formed the Union for New Civil Servants, which he claimed, had 3,000 members.
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In February last year, Ngan’s union organised a rally slamming the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and accusing it of allocating protective gear unfairly among departments.
The union has also raised doubt over the national security law, with Ngan once saying: “The Basic Law only states that public servants must be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the Hong Kong government, not the central government. The government should explain what civil servants should do in case there are conflicts between the two roles.”


The activist was stripped of his acting appointment last June after news emerged that his union was also among groups that joined an unofficial referendum on class boycotts and general strikes over the looming security law.
Ngan said at the time that he was told the post was no longer needed, but he suspected the decision was politically motivated.
The union disbanded last month “to protect members’ information”, according to Ngan.
He said in Thursday’s Facebook post that the group would destroy records “to protect the privacy of members”, and remaining funds would be donated to charities.
Without going into detail, Ngan added he would clear formalities with the Registry of Trade Unions.


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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong protests: ex-head of disbanded civil servants’ union quits before deadline for allegiance oath

Civil servant Michael Ngan meets the media in 2019. Photo: Felix Wong

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (December 18) held an oath-taking ceremony for civil servants at the Central Government Offices. Witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and directorate civil servants at the rank of D6 or above swore to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, also attended the oath-taking ceremony. Source: Information Services Department (ISD)

Civil servants protest against the governments handling of the extradition bill, in Central. 02AUG19 SCMP / Felix Wong

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Michael Ngan says in social media post that departure was over the new requirement for government employees to pledge loyalty
He first came to public attention in 2019 when he co-organised a rally for government employees to voice opposition to the extradition bill



Michael Ngan says in social media post that departure was over the new requirement for government employees to pledge loyalty.


Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong extradition bill