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In response to press enquiries, a spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau made the following statement today (May 4):

"All retired civil servants are required to seek prior approval before taking up employment or engaging in business activities the principal part of which is carried out in Hong Kong within two years of their retirement.

"The objective is to ensure that the proposed employment would not result in any conflict of interest with an officer's previous service with the government or adversely affect the image of the government. This policy contributes to public confidence in the integrity of the civil service.

"Every application from directorate officers will be considered by the Advisory Committee on Post-retirement Employment that is chaired by a High Court judge and comprise three non-official members. Each application will be considered on its own merits. In tendering its advice to the approving authority, the Advisory Committee may recommend imposing a sanitisation period or certain conditions on an applicant in taking up the proposed employment.

"The committee produces a report on its work every year."

Ends/Tuesday, May 4, 2004

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