Hong Kong

 

On 28 November, 3,000 social workers from Hong Kong’s various non-government organisations (NGOs) went on a 24-hour strike to demand better pay and a review of a controversial new system of government funding.

The Hong Kong government practices a policy of subvention, whereby many vital social services are provided by NGOs with direct government funding. Before 2000, the government covered most of the expenses of these NGOs. But since 2000 this system has been replaced by limited lump-sum grants, which can leave NGOs without enough to run their programs. Furthermore, staff salaries in these NGOs are far below salaries offered to formal civil servants – even though all are paid by government.

3.000 social workers gather to strike in Hong Kong

Source: Social Workers Union

These striking social workers demand that the government issues a standard that guarantees higher wages in NGOs, and that independent committees be set up to review decisions about funding allocation. They gathered outside the city’s Social Welfare Department for almost five hours until all their petitions were accepted, and then marched to central government headquarters. According to the director of social welfare, there will be a meeting of the Lump Sum Grant Steering Committee on December 17 where the strikers’ demands will be considered.