Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam fills two government vacancies with members of pro-Beijing political parties
- Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Ho Kai-ming will take on the post of undersecretary for labour and welfare
- Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong member Julian Ip has been appointed political assistant to treasury minister
Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Ho Kai-ming, 35, will take on the post of undersecretary for labour and welfare, while Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) member Julian Ip Chun-lim, 28, was appointed political assistant to the treasury minister.
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“Both of them will assume office on June 1,” a government spokesman said.
In Facebook post, Ho said he would quit his post as labour sector lawmaker.
Labour rights had improved during his term as a legislator, Ho wrote, noting the government’s plan to increase statutory holidays for workers to 17 days and the implementation of five-day paternity leave.
“Of course, the labour environment today is completely different from four years ago, workers are more concerned with job security and economic revival,” Ho said. “I will bring these civilian voices into government.”
Ho fills the seat left empty by Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, also a DAB member, who was promoted to secretary for home affairs.
The government said Ho had “ample experience” in dealing with labour matters and had a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Hong Kong.
Last year, Ho lost his seat on the Kwun Tong district council, which he had occupied for eight years, to a rival from the opposition camp.
In the Legislative Council, Ho advocated for increasing maternity leave for employees.
Ip was a senior manager of OneConnect Financial Technology, an associate of Chinese insurance company Ping An Group, before joining the government.
He was also assistant vice-president of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited in 2018.
Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok said it might be difficult for the government to persuade non-partisan individuals with expertise to take up official posts, given its low popularity.
“For now, most people with good standing will not join the [Carrie Lam] government,” Ma said.