Labour and welfare secretary Chris Sun on Saturday expressed confidence that a lawyer appointed to chair a statutory body overseeing social workers will command the respect of the sector.

Herman Hui was among 12 new members picked by the government to the reformed Social Workers Registration Board.

Speaking after a radio programme, the minister acknowledged that the board's chairperson was not a registered social worker, but noted his status within the sector.

“Herman [Hui] is well-known in the welfare field. He has been serving the sector for more than 30 years. While he's not a registered social worker, I'm sure for those in the welfare sector, Herman is so well-known because of his dedication, commitment, and also selfless service to the sector. I'm sure he's going to command the respect of the sector," Sun said.

The minister also said it did not matter where the board members came from, following suggestions that the government could bring in representatives from smaller organisations.

He said members were appointed to the statutory body on a personal basis.

“They are requested to carry out their duties dutifully, and not having regard to where they are coming from. There's no difference for those coming from larger, smaller, or medium-sized welfare organisations, because they look after social workers from an independent point of view," Sun said.

He said the Social Workers Registration Board was only concerned with the registration of individual social workers, and not welfare institutions.

"It's not relevant whether or not they are coming from larger or smaller organisations in the field," he said.

Grace Chan, the business director of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, is the deputy chairperson.

Other members include former permanent secretary for labour and welfare Annie Tam, as well as members of the government's social welfare advisory committee, Frederick Lai and Barry Wong, who are all part of a coalition, the Hong Kong Social Welfare Sector Heart to Heart Joint Action.