Chairman of social worker body steps down amid reform

　　Lawmakers will start the second reading of a government bill aimed at revamping the Social Workers Registration Board next week.

　　The chairman of the Social Workers Registration Board, Ng Yut-ming, has vacated his position amid a government plan to reform the statutory body.

　　According to the board's website, Ng's tenure in office ended on Friday, following the earlier departure of six other members: Toby Ho, Grace Wong, Chan Kwok-bong, Adino Chung, Phyllis Luk and Lam Chiu-wan.

　　It means only one elected member, Oscar Lai, remains on the board. The three-year term for the current board is set to expire in January.

　　Lawmakers are set to start the second reading of a government bill aimed at revamping the body next week.

　　The bill proposes increasing the number of appointed members from six to 17, while elected members will remain unchanged at eight.