***********************************************
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, visited the Immigration Department this afternoon (January 25) to gain greater insight into the department's work and to meet with staff to strengthen communications.
This was the first time that Mr Tang had visited a disciplined service department since assuming the post of the Secretary for the Civil Service. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Raymond Wong, Mr Tang was briefed by the Director of Immigration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the directorate staff on the department's operation and organisation.
Mr Tang learnt that the department, established in 1961, had extended its services from exercising effective immigration control in Hong Kong to issuing high security identity cards and travel documents, providing registration services for births, deaths and marriages as well as preventing and detecting immigration-related crimes.
He said he appreciated the department's continuous efforts to enhance efficiency in service delivery to assist Hong Kong's development as an international centre for financial services, trade, logistics and tourism.
While visiting the Enterprise System Management Centre, Mr Tang was glad to see that the department places great emphasis on information technology for service improvement. The Centre closely monitors the security and updates of the information systems in operation so as to provide an effective and adaptable working environment for the department.
Mr Tang then visited the Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) Section which handles more than 200,000 applications annually for entry visas, contract renewals, extensions of stay, change of employers and so forth. The Section provides efficient services to employers in Hong Kong and FDHs while maintaining effective immigration control of FDHs in Hong Kong.
Mr Tang also toured the Registration of Persons - Hong Kong Office, which is the busiest of five similar offices and handles about 38 per cent of the overall workload. The Office provides services closely related to people's lives, including registration and replacement of identity cards and amendments of registered particulars. Mr Tang was glad to learn that applicants could make an advance booking for a period of 24 working days through the 24-hour Appointment Booking Service for Hong Kong Smart Identity Card, either by phone or via website.
During his tour of the department, Mr Tang was briefed by various heads of office while observing staff at work. Before concluding his visit, Mr Tang met staff representatives of various grades at a tea reception and listened to their views on related issues.
Mr Tang said he appreciates colleagues' competence and experience and encouraged them to continue providing excellent and quality services to the public and visitors.
Ends/Friday, January 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:46
NNNN
