The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, visited the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 2) to take a closer look at the work of the department and meet its staff.
 
     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Law first met with the Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip, and the directorate staff to better understand the department's major welfare services provided to members of the public and challenges ahead.
 
     Mr Law then visited the Causeway Bay Social Security Field Unit, where he was briefed by staff of the Field Unit on their work. The SWD operates 41 Social Security Field Units, which administer the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme and the Social Security Allowance Scheme and provide Emergency Relief services.

     When touring the Family and Child Protective Services Unit (Eastern and Wan Chai), Mr Law was briefed by colleagues of the Unit on how they assist families with problems of child abuse or spousal battery to get through difficult times and restore normal functioning. He also learnt that the Unit has launched public education programmes to raise public concern about the prevention of domestic violence and child abuse.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with representatives of the Departmental Consultative Committee and staff unions at a tea gathering to understand their concerns. He praised colleagues for their enthusiasm and dedication, and encouraged them to continue to uphold a "people-oriented" approach in offering timely assistance to those in need.

Ends/Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:05

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