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|colorcode = #FFC500
|colorcode = #FFC500
|foundation = 1985
|foundation = 1985
|ideology = [[Social democracy]],<br>[[labour rights|Pro-Labour rights]]
|ideology = [[Social democracy]]
|position = [[Centre-left]]
|position = [[Centre-left]]
|international =
|international =
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|seats2 = {{Infobox political party/seats|5|507|hex=FFC500}}
|seats2 = {{Infobox political party/seats|5|507|hex=FFC500}}
}}
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The '''Neighbourhood and Worker&#39;s Service Centre''' ('''NWSC'''; [[Chinese languages|Chinese]]: 街坊工友服務處 Jiēfāng Gōngyǒu Fúwùshè, 街工 Jiē-Gōng) is a [[List of political parties in Hong Kong|political group]] in [[Hong Kong]], holding one seat in the territory's [[Legislative Council (Hong Kong)|Legislative Council]] from 1995 to 1997, and since 1998. It was founded in 1985, with its roots in the 新青學社 founded in 1976. Politically it is identified as belonging to the [[pro-democracy camp]], or "pan-democrats". The sole member representing the NWSC in the Legislative Council is [[Leung Yiu Chung]]. It also holds 5 seats in the [[Kwai Tsing District Council]].
The '''Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre''' ('''NWSC'''; [[Chinese languages|Chinese]]: 街坊工友服務處 Jiēfāng Gōngyǒu Fúwùshè, 街工 Jiē-Gōng) is a [[pan-democracy camp|pro-democracy]] [[List of political parties in Hong Kong|political group]] in [[Hong Kong]], holding one seat in the [[Legislative Council (Hong Kong)|Legislative Council]] from 1995 to 1997, and since 1998. It was founded in 1985, with its roots in the New Youth Study Society founded in 1979. Politically it is identified as belonging to the [[pan-democracy camp]]. The sole member representing the NWSC in the Legislative Council is [[Leung Yiu Chung]]. It also holds 5 seats in the [[Kwai Tsing District Council]].

==History==
===Founding===
The NWSC was founded in 1985 in the root of the New Youth Study Society in [[Tsuen Wan]] which was a social group formed by activist Lau Shan-ching and other graduates from the [[University of Hong Kong]] aiming at providing education for workers and raise their social consciousness. However as the government set up night courses for adults in the early 1980s, the number of workers attended to the society's courses dropped. The lecturers and students in the society decided to participate in the newly established [[District Councils of Hong Kong|District Board]] elections as the government introduced constitutional reform.<ref name="kwai chung"/>

[[Leung Yiu-chung]], lecturer of the New Youth Study Society, led the Kwai Chung residents who was affected by concrete spalling and seepage in their public housing estates to demanded the [[Housing Department]] for solutions. It later turned out to be a full-scale "26 Blocks Scandal". Leung was subsequently elected in the Kwai Chung Central constituency in the [[Hong Kong local elections, 1985|first District Board elections]] in 1985 and founded the Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre.<ref name="kwai chung"/>

===1980s to 1990s===
In 1987 and 1988, the NWSC involved in the labour strikes in the Kwai Chung industrial area, including foreign electric companies such as [[Digital Equipment Corporation]], [[Seiko]] and [[Philips]]<ref name="kwai chung"/>.

In the [[Hong Kong local elections, 1988|1988 District Board elections]], Leung Yiu-chung and Tsui Pak-lam won seats in the [[Kwai Tsing District Council]] in the [[Kwai Fong (constituency)|Kwai Fong]] and Kwai Hing constituencies.<ref name="kwai chung"/>

The NWSC supported the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]] and joined the [[Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China]].<ref name="kwai chung">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=120|title=紮根葵涌區|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref>

The NWSC nominated Leung Yiu-chung to run in the [[Hong Kong legislative election, 1991|first Legislative Council direct elections]] in 1991 after a debate and voting. Running as an independent, Leung failed to be elected in the [[New Territories South (constituency)|New Territories South constituency]].<ref name="election"/>

In the [[Hong Kong local elections, 1994|1994 District Board elections]], NWSC members Leung Yiu-chung, Tsui Pak-lam and Leung Chi-shing contested in the Kwai Wah, Kwai Fong and Kwai Hing constituencies, Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Chi-shing were elected.<ref name="election">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=121|title=參選第一屆立法會直選|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref>

Leung Yiu-chung was first elected to the Legislative Council in the [[Hong Kong legislative election, 1995|1995 elections]] through the newly created [[Textiles and Garment (constituency)|Textiles and Garment]] [[functional constituency (Hong Kong)|functional constituency]] under the then [[Governor of Hong Kong|Governor]] [[Chris Patten]]'s [[1994 Hong Kong electoral reform|electoral reform]].<ref name="grassroots"/>

The NWSC stood for the workers and grassroots interests in the LegCo. In 1996, Leung proposed an amendment to the Housing Ordinance to restrict the public housing rent could be increased only every three years and the median rent to income ratio could not exceed ten percent which was passed in late June 1997.<ref>{{cite journal|date=27 June 1997|title=Hong Kong Hansard|url=http://legco.gov.hk/yr96-97/english/lc_sitg/hansard/970627fc.doc|work=Legislative Council of Hong Kong}}</ref> Leung also moved a motion condemning the [[Preparatory Committee for the HKSAR]] as undemocratic. The NWSC boycotted the Beijing-controlled [[Provisional Legislative Council]] and protested against the Provisional Legislative Council repeals on the labour laws.<ref name="grassroots"/>

Following the [[transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong]] in 1997, Leung demanded a sentence for the young offenders who were detained "[[at Her Majesty's pleasure]]".<ref name="grassroots">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=122|title=捍衛基層權益|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref>

Leung Yiu-chung returned to the Legislative Council in the [[Hong Kong legislative election, 1998|first Legislative Council elections]] in 1998 after the SAR established. Leung Yiu-chung became the only NWSC member in the Legislative Council since. Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Chi-shing were both re-elected in the following [[Hong Kong local elections, 1999|District Council elections]] in 1999.<ref name="training"/>

===2000s to present===
In 2000 after the fire in [[Tai O]], the NWSC helped the residents to demand for compensation and reconstruction.<ref name="training">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=123|title=開展再培訓工作|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref> It also negotiated with the [[Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry]] to improve the frequency of service for the Tai O residents. Its services also extended to the new community in [[Tin Shui Wai]].<ref name="democracy"/>

The NWSC joined the [[World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2005|WTO protests]] in 2005. Many NWSC were arrested afterwards. In 2006, the NWSC opposed the privatisation of the shopping centres and car parks of the Housing Department. The NWSC also supported the metal workers strike in 2007.<ref name="democracy"/>

In November 2007, the NWSC retained three seats held by Leung Yiu-chung, Leung Chi-shing and Andrew Wan Siu-kin and also won a new seat with Wong Yun-tat in Kwai Chung Estate. Leung Wing-kun, who lost in the election and Andrew Wan left the NWSC in 2007 and 2008 respectively.<ref name="democracy">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=124|title=民主民生並行|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref>

In 2009, the NWSC joined the alliance against the [[Opposition to the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link|Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link]].<ref name="labour">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwsc.org.hk/handover/content.php?id=161|title=工運多元化|work=Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre|language=Chinese}}</ref>

During the debate over the [[2010 Hong Kong electoral reform]], the NWSC opposed to both the "[[Hong Kong by-election, 2010|Five Constituency Referendum movement]]" triggered by the [[Civic Party]] and the [[League of Social Democrats]] and the revised proposals introduced by the [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]] and the [[Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood]].<ref name="labour"/> The strategic conflicts within the [[pan-democracy camp]] resulted in a split between the factions. The NWSC remained fairly neutral.


==References==
==References==
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{{Hong Kong political parties}}
{{Hong Kong political parties}}
{{HongKong-party-stub}}
{{HongKong-party-stub}}
[[Category:Political parties in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Political organisations in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Trade unions in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Trade unions in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Political parties in China]]
[[Category:Political organizations in China]]

Revision as of 01:06, 9 February 2014

Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre
街坊工友服務處
ChairmanWu Wai-chung
Founded1985
IdeologySocial democracy
Political positionCentre-left
National affiliationPro-democracy camp
Legislative Council
1 / 70
District Councils
5 / 507

The Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (NWSC; Chinese: 街坊工友服務處 Jiēfāng Gōngyǒu Fúwùshè, 街工 Jiē-Gōng) is a pro-democracy political group in Hong Kong, holding one seat in the Legislative Council from 1995 to 1997, and since 1998. It was founded in 1985, with its roots in the New Youth Study Society founded in 1979. Politically it is identified as belonging to the pan-democracy camp. The sole member representing the NWSC in the Legislative Council is Leung Yiu Chung. It also holds 5 seats in the Kwai Tsing District Council.

History

Founding

The NWSC was founded in 1985 in the root of the New Youth Study Society in Tsuen Wan which was a social group formed by activist Lau Shan-ching and other graduates from the University of Hong Kong aiming at providing education for workers and raise their social consciousness. However as the government set up night courses for adults in the early 1980s, the number of workers attended to the society's courses dropped. The lecturers and students in the society decided to participate in the newly established District Board elections as the government introduced constitutional reform.[1]

Leung Yiu-chung, lecturer of the New Youth Study Society, led the Kwai Chung residents who was affected by concrete spalling and seepage in their public housing estates to demanded the Housing Department for solutions. It later turned out to be a full-scale "26 Blocks Scandal". Leung was subsequently elected in the Kwai Chung Central constituency in the first District Board elections in 1985 and founded the Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre.[1]

1980s to 1990s

In 1987 and 1988, the NWSC involved in the labour strikes in the Kwai Chung industrial area, including foreign electric companies such as Digital Equipment Corporation, Seiko and Philips[1].

In the 1988 District Board elections, Leung Yiu-chung and Tsui Pak-lam won seats in the Kwai Tsing District Council in the Kwai Fong and Kwai Hing constituencies.[1]

The NWSC supported the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and joined the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.[1]

The NWSC nominated Leung Yiu-chung to run in the first Legislative Council direct elections in 1991 after a debate and voting. Running as an independent, Leung failed to be elected in the New Territories South constituency.[2]

In the 1994 District Board elections, NWSC members Leung Yiu-chung, Tsui Pak-lam and Leung Chi-shing contested in the Kwai Wah, Kwai Fong and Kwai Hing constituencies, Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Chi-shing were elected.[2]

Leung Yiu-chung was first elected to the Legislative Council in the 1995 elections through the newly created Textiles and Garment functional constituency under the then Governor Chris Patten's electoral reform.[3]

The NWSC stood for the workers and grassroots interests in the LegCo. In 1996, Leung proposed an amendment to the Housing Ordinance to restrict the public housing rent could be increased only every three years and the median rent to income ratio could not exceed ten percent which was passed in late June 1997.[4] Leung also moved a motion condemning the Preparatory Committee for the HKSAR as undemocratic. The NWSC boycotted the Beijing-controlled Provisional Legislative Council and protested against the Provisional Legislative Council repeals on the labour laws.[3]

Following the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, Leung demanded a sentence for the young offenders who were detained "at Her Majesty's pleasure".[3]

Leung Yiu-chung returned to the Legislative Council in the first Legislative Council elections in 1998 after the SAR established. Leung Yiu-chung became the only NWSC member in the Legislative Council since. Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Chi-shing were both re-elected in the following District Council elections in 1999.[5]

2000s to present

In 2000 after the fire in Tai O, the NWSC helped the residents to demand for compensation and reconstruction.[5] It also negotiated with the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry to improve the frequency of service for the Tai O residents. Its services also extended to the new community in Tin Shui Wai.[6]

The NWSC joined the WTO protests in 2005. Many NWSC were arrested afterwards. In 2006, the NWSC opposed the privatisation of the shopping centres and car parks of the Housing Department. The NWSC also supported the metal workers strike in 2007.[6]

In November 2007, the NWSC retained three seats held by Leung Yiu-chung, Leung Chi-shing and Andrew Wan Siu-kin and also won a new seat with Wong Yun-tat in Kwai Chung Estate. Leung Wing-kun, who lost in the election and Andrew Wan left the NWSC in 2007 and 2008 respectively.[6]

In 2009, the NWSC joined the alliance against the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.[7]

During the debate over the 2010 Hong Kong electoral reform, the NWSC opposed to both the "Five Constituency Referendum movement" triggered by the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats and the revised proposals introduced by the Democratic Party and the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood.[7] The strategic conflicts within the pan-democracy camp resulted in a split between the factions. The NWSC remained fairly neutral.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "紮根葵涌區". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).
  2. ^ a b "參選第一屆立法會直選". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).
  3. ^ a b c "捍衛基層權益". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).
  4. ^ "Hong Kong Hansard". Legislative Council of Hong Kong. 27 June 1997.
  5. ^ a b "開展再培訓工作". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).
  6. ^ a b c "民主民生並行". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).
  7. ^ a b "工運多元化". Neighbourhood and Worker's Service Centre (in Chinese).