The NWSC was founded in 1985 at the root of the New Youth Study Society in Tsuen Wan, a social group formed by activist Lau Shan-ching and other graduates from the University of Hong Kong, aiming to provide education for workers and raise their social consciousness.

The lecturers and students in the society decided to participate in the newly established District Board elections as the government introduced constitutional reform.

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

[2] After a debate and voting, the NWSC nominated Leung Yiu-chung to run in the first Legislative Council direct elections in 1991.

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

[6] It also negotiated with the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry to improve the frequency of service for the Tai O residents.

In 2006, the NWSC opposed the privatisation of the shopping centres and car parks of the Housing Department.

[8] 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.