Ex-Hong Kong district councillor shuts community care team after seat bid fails

The company was amongst 452 teams final 12 months given authorities approval to run a neighborhood care staff within the small Shui Wah subdistrict of Tin Shui Wai which covers elements of the Tin Wah and Tin Shui Estates within the northwestern New Territories.

Chow stated he had served Tin Shui Wai on Yuen Lengthy District Council for about 30 years as a district councillor between 1995 and 2019, when opposition candidates swept the board.

He added he didn’t anticipate that he would fail to get approval to run in final month’s election, the primary ballot with a “patriots-only” slate of candidates.

However Chow, who at current has no political affiliation, stated the town chief didn’t appoint him as a district councillor and he additionally didn’t safe the required endorsements from three government-appointed committees to run for a immediately elected seat within the ballot final month.

“All the things was being managed,” Chow stated. “Regardless of how bold, succesful, skilled, or academically certified you might be, you merely can not enter the sport. That’s it.”

Simply 88 district council seats have been elected by public vote underneath the brand new system.

Town’s chief appointed 179 councillors and a couple of,532 members of district committees determined one other 176. Rural committee chairmen and ladies took 27 ex officio seats.

‘Hong Kong neighborhood care groups ought to goal to fulfill goal for residence visits’

Chow stated it was a pity that his many years of public service had not been recognised.

He added he thought his spectacular report of neighborhood work would have meant he wouldn’t be excluded from the election or from appointment.

Chow stated he had relied on private cash since he misplaced his council seat in 2019, and that he was unable to afford the fundamental operating prices of his care staff – greater than HK$10,000 (US$1,281) a month.

Chow’s company was given an preliminary HK$200,000 authorities grant final September for its proposed tasks, which included offering help providers reminiscent of residence visits and family upkeep and cleansing for these in want within the Shui Wah space.

Authorities funding of about HK$1 million in complete might have been allotted to help his staff’s neighborhood care tasks, however Chow’s was chargeable for overlaying bills such because the staff’s workplace and a part-time paid workers member.

The care groups have been introduced in Lee’s 2022 coverage deal with in a bid to foster a extra compassionate and inclusive metropolis.

Hong Kong watchdog decides in opposition to guidelines for care staff members in district ballot

The 18 Hong Kong districts have been divided into subdistricts to permit native organisations and teams to collaborate and kind care groups, in addition to promote authorities initiatives.

Chow, who has returned the HK$200,000 funding to the federal government, stated he deliberate to step away from politics, however would proceed engaged on neighborhood occasions he had been concerned in for years.

“It’s a mixture of feelings,” he stated. “It has nearly been my lifelong profession.

“I’ve devoted myself to intensive examine within the hope of changing into a reliable politician.”

The Dwelling Affairs Division stated it was notified by the group on the finish of final month that Chow had determined to not handle the Shui Wah care staff.

However an official stated the division would select a brand new organisation to take over and, within the meantime, the close by Shui Oi care staff would tackle the extra duties.

Further reporting by Emily Hung