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The following is issued on behalf of the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority:
The Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority announced today (December 10) that the upper age limit for the Category B Security Personnel Permit (SPP) will be raised from 65 to 70 with effect from December 18, 2015.
The Chairman of the Authority, Mr Daniel Cham, said that this measure would provide new job opportunities for senior citizens who are still physically fit, and help the trade by easing its recruitment difficulties.
The Category B SPP is for general guarding work not requiring the carrying of arms and ammunition for the majority of premises. It is the most common type of security work among SPP holders. There are currently about 260,000 people holding the Category B SPP.
The age limit relaxation has been prompted by the Government's population policy, which seeks to promote a longer working life and unleash the potential of the local workforce. It is also a result of thorough consultation with the trade.
"In making this change, the Authority, as the industry regulator, is fully mindful of the need not to compromise the quality of the trade," Mr Cham added.
The extension will come with a regular medical check requirement for Category B SPP holders aged 65 or above. If an applicant is 65 or above, he has to produce a medical certificate demonstrating his fitness for the job at the time of application, and thereafter every two years. If a permit holder reaches the age of 65 during the validity period of his SPP, he has to produce such a medical certificate when he reaches that age, and thereafter every two years.
The medical check requirement will be made a standard permit issuing criteria and permit condition to ensure compliance.
Interested parties may send their applications to the Police Licensing Office from December 18, 2015, onward. To facilitate speedy processing, applicants are encouraged to apply by post.
A Category B SPP is normally valid for five years. However, due to the present age restriction, the permits of most of the existing Category B SPP holders who obtained their permits after 60 will expire on their 65th birthdays. They should note that their permits will not be automatically extended upon their reaching 65 even with the age limit relaxation, and that they must apply for renewal of their permits if they wish to continue to perform Category B security work after their current permits expire.
The Police Licensing Office will inform Category A (for guarding work for single private residential buildings) and Category B SPP holders aged between 60 and 69 of the new arrangement individually by letter. Enquiries may be addressed to the Police Licensing Office's hotline at 2860 6543 (new application)/2860 6546 (renewal) or the Authority's Secretariat at 2801 6181.
The age limit extension is implemented by way of amendments to the standard permit issuing criteria and permit conditions by the Authority under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (Cap. 460), which will take effect upon publication in the Gazette on December 18, 2015. Under the Ordinance, the amended permit issuing criteria require the approval of the Legislative Council, which was obtained in June 2015 through a government motion.
Ends/Thursday, December 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:55
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