***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Review of Post-service Outside Work for Directorate Civil Servants:
The Committee on Review of Post-service Outside Work for Directorate Civil Servants today (February 20) launched a two-month consultation exercise to seek views from the community and all other stakeholders on the control regime for post-service outside work for directorate civil servants.
The Chairman of the Review Committee, Mr Ronald Arculli said, "The Review Committee hopes that the public consultation can facilitate a good discussion in the community on this important subject, which involves the protection of the public interest and the protection of an individual's right to work."
"While a former directorate civil servant's right to work should be respected, it is not absolute. So where the taking up of post-service outside work would give rise to concerns over conflict of interest, such concerns must be addressed in order to protect the wider public interest."
"The review committee aims to conduct a thorough review and has identified nine salient issues, after detailed examination of the current control regime in Hong Kong and in seven overseas jurisdictions. It has an open mind on these issues. It will give careful consideration to views from the public and stakeholders before finalising its recommendations to the Chief Executive," Mr Arculli said.
The nine issues set out in the consultation document released today are related to the underlying principles, policy objective, and design and operation of the control regime for post-service outside work by former directorate civil servants. Comments on other issues are also welcome.
The consultation document can be downloaded from the review committee's website www.dcspostservice-review.org.hk. Copies are also available for collection at district offices and Civil Service Bureau.
Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to send in their views to the Review Committee on or before April 20 by:
Post: Secretariat, Committee on Review of
Post-service Outside Work for Directorate
Civil Servants, 10/F, West Wing, Central
Government Offices, 11 Ice House Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Fax : 2147 5241 (Attention: Secretariat, Committee
on Review of Post-service Outside Work for
Directorate Civil Servants)
Email: comment@dcspostservice-review.org.hk
The review committee will organise three public forums on March 9, March 17 and March 28. It will also meet civil service groups and directorate civil servants through a number of consultative sessions on March 21. Those interested may visit the review committee's website for further details and reservation of seats.
Appointed by the Chief Executive at the end of September 2008, the review committee has held 14 meetings so far. It aims to conclude its work and submit a report to the Chief Executive in mid-2009. The Chief Executive will make public the review committee's report.
The review committee is chaired by Mr Arculli and comprises 10 other members, Mr Haider Barma, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, Professor Chan Yuk-shee, Professor Albert Chen Hung-yee, Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok, Ms Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, Mr Albert Ho Chun-yan, Mr Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, Mr Tam Yiu-chung, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue.
Ends/Friday, February 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:41
NNNN
