Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Wednesday he believes the Social Workers Registration Board will review any renewal application as required by law.

Sun was speaking a day after social worker Jackie Chen was convicted of rioting during the 2019 protests.

According to the board’s website, Chen’s registration as a social worker expired last month and that her renewal application is being considered.

“The Social Workers Registration Ordinance states clearly that if certain designated offences are committed, the Social Workers Registration Board will fulfill its duties. I firmly believe the board will handle renewal applications in accordance with the law and the regulations, including Chen’s request,” Sun said after attending a radio programme.

The ordinance states that the board may refuse to register people who committed a crime that “may bring the profession of social worker into disrepute and is punishable with imprisonment” as a social worker.

Social workers who commit more serious offences, including murder, rape, as well as any offence endangering national security will be permanently removed from the registration list.