HONG KONG – Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the city cannot afford prolonged political impasse and a fresh outbreak of social unrest amid a deep economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. 

In a social media post on Thursday ahead of Labor Day, Lam took note of the hardships faced by the city’s “grassroots workers” who are bearing the brunt of a recession. She urged opposition lawmakers to stop stonewalling the election of the chairperson of the important House Committee and allow the Legislative Council to function properly. 

Carrie Lam said the city cannot afford prolonged political impasse and a fresh outbreak of social unrest amid a deep economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic

Opposition legislator Dennis Kwok Wing-hang has been presiding over the electoral process which has been dragging on for more than six months now with little indication that the matter will be resolved anytime soon. The impasse has held up the voting on many key bills, including those directly related to financial relief proposed to benefit many thousands of hard-pressed workers. 

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Lam said workers are Hong Kong’s precious assets who need to be better protected. She made a plea to lawmakers to work together for the sake of workers and their families. 

Lam’s message comes a day after an independent board of appeal ruled on Wednesday in favor of an earlier police ban on a march proposed for the Labor Day.

The board said the march, for which the Confederation of Trade Union (CTU) had requested permission, could pose a serious threat to public health at a time when social distancing rules are in place to contain the spread of COVID-19.

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CTU said the march, in which it estimated 3,000 would participate, is to voice support for the legitimate rights of workers who have taken a blow from the pandemic. After losing the appeal, it said it would set up more than 50 roadside booths across the city to circulate anti-epidemic tips and show support for the anti-government movement.

As a ban on public gatherings of more than four people at a time is still in place, police warned those planning to join such activities that they could face legal consequences, adding that they ran the risk of breaking the law by participating in an illegal assembly. 

As of Thursday, police issued 338 tickets fining residents who flouted the public gathering ban, and 14 people have been prosecuted so far for the offense. They face a maximum jail term of six months.