Decision to close historic NGO advocating for Hong Kong's ethnic minorities sparks controversy
After 24 years of activity in support of foreign communities, the NGO Hong Kong Unison has announced its dissolution. Its chairperson said that the organisation had run out of steam, stressing that she had not come under any political pressure, but its former executive director and other members criticised the decision, saying it lacked transparency.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – After 24 years of activity, Hong Kong Unison (HKU), a non-governmental organisation helping ethnic minorities, announced plans to dissolve itself.
The NGO’s chairwoman, Alice Chong, justified the decision by saying that the organisation had fulfilled its “historical mission”, noting that many other NGOs exists to advocate for racial equality.
Not everyone agrees. HKU’s former executive director, John Tse, described the decision as “irresponsible”, lacking in transparency.
The organisation was founded in 2001 by a social worker called Fermi Wong to support members of ethnic minorities by providing various services, including legal aid, Cantonese language courses, and help in finding work.
According to government data from 2021, ethnic minorities in Hong Kong (excluding foreign domestic helpers, mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines) jumped by more than 50 per cent in ten years, from about 197,000 in 2011 to over 301,000 in 2021, and now represent 4.3 per cent of the population.
The largest group comes from South Asia (96,500 individuals), most notably Indians (40 per cent), Nepalis (31 per cent), Pakistanis (25 per cent), Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans (4 per cent).
If domestic helpers are included, the total number of foreigners in Hong Kong rises to 620,000 or about 8 per cent of the population.
Aid agencies report that, even though many foreign families have lived in Hong Kong for several generations, foreigners still struggle to integrate into the social fabric due to the language barrier and cultural and religious differences, exposing them to greater risk of poverty and unemployment.
Between 2004 and 2006, HKU campaigned against social exclusion, which led to the adoption of the Racial Discrimination Ordinance in 2008.
Chairwoman Chong said the decision to dissolve the organisation was not related to financial problems or political pressure.
When asked to clarify about the mission being “accomplished”, she said that Hong Kong had more NGOs serving ethnic minorities now, compared to the early 2000s.
During the extraordinary general meeting, the executive committee approved the motion for dissolution with 16 votes in favour and one against.
Hong Kong’s Home Affairs Department is currently funding local NGOs to run 10 Support Service Centres for Ethnic Minorities, but HKU was not one of them.
HKU has about HK million in remaining funds, which would be used to pay employee long service and severance, and cover the NGOs liabilities, while the rest would be donated to other NGOs involved in helping foreigners.
Founder Fermi Wong, who now lives in the UK, reacted to the NGO’s closure, criticising the work of the last executive director, John Tse, on social media. For Wong, a dignified closure was better than a slow decline.
Responding to various comments, Tse pointed out that his contract had been renewed six months earlier, suggesting that the decision to dissolve the NGO was probably unrelated to his work.
Another employee, Javria Khalid, a Pakistani-Hongkonger, accused the board of directors of failing to consult employees, volunteers and donors before making their decision.
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