*****************************************************
The 37 social security field units (SSFUs) of the Social Welfare Department would join the final phase of the five-day week initiative to be implemented from July 1, a department spokesman said today (June 21).
From July 1, the service hours of SSFUs will be extended during weekdays while services on Saturdays will be discontinued. The new opening hours of SSFUs will be from 8.45am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays with a lunch break from 1pm to 2pm.
"Under special circumstances where there are good reasons that a customer cannot attend an office interview within normal opening hours of SSFUs, we will consider making special arrangements," the spokesman said.
A drop-in box will be installed outside each SSFU to collect documents submitted by the public outside office hours. If assistance is required outside office hours, individuals or families may call the departmental hotline 2343 2255.
The department started to implement the five-day week initiative in phases from July 1 last year. Phase one covered back offices, offices providing in-house professional and administrative support, and services the suspension of which on Saturdays would have little impact on the public.
Phase two included the Community Service Orders Office, Probation Offices and the Medical Social Services Unit in the Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre.
"The overall level and efficiency of our services have been maintained following the implementation of five-day week in phases one and two. The non-provision of services by offices on Saturdays has no significant impact on the general public.
"A number of the units providing direct services to the public will not change their work patterns after the implementation of the final phase. Offices still open to the public on Saturdays are the Departmental Hotline Service Unit, Medical Social Services Units in public hospitals and Integrated Family Service Centres," the spokesman said.
"We will continue to monitor the public reaction and operation of the five-day week and fine-tune the arrangements as necessary. We will ensure that quality services will continue to be provided," the spokesman said.
For details of the five-day week arrangements, people may browse the Social Welfare Department website (http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_aboutus/page_fivedayweek/sub_main/) or the government dedicated website (http://www.gov.hk/info/5day/), or make enquiries to the departmental hotline at 2343 2255 or the 24-hour 1823 Citizen's Easy Link.
Ends/Thursday, June 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:01
NNNN
