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The final phase of the Government's five-day week initiative will begin on July 1. By then, about 94,300 staff will be on a five-day week work mode including 'five-day-work, two-day-off' duty pattern.
"Some 10,500 civil servants will migrate to a five-day week in the final phase," a spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau said today (May 21). For details of services that will move to a five-day week in the final phase, please refer to table attached.
"The overall level and efficiency of government services is maintained. Emergency and essential services are not affected. Services such as those involving the maintenance of law and order, administration of penal institutions and provision of rescue services, will continue to be provided round the clock," the spokesman said.
"As in earlier phases, departments have drawn up their implementation plans, taking into account possible implications on their statutory obligations, performance pledges, occupational safety and health concerns, and views of staff and major stakeholders in the private sector as appropriate."
"They have ensured that the overall level of service available to the public will be fully (if not more than) compensated during weekdays, following the non-provision of services to the public on Saturdays," he said.
Alternative means of service provision, including drop-in boxes and enhanced enquiry service will be introduced where necessary.
"We are satisfied that the extension of a five-day week to more government services in phase two, starting January, 2007, has been generally smooth. The quality of government services has been maintained.
"The general public has become more informed about and receptive to the five-day week arrangement and staff feedback has been positive as they could spend more time with their families, pursue further studies, sports and recreational activities, during the longer weekend."
Some 51,200 civil servants may still have to continue with their current work patterns after the implementation of the final phase. They are mainly engaged in the provision of services that continue to operate on Saturdays/Sundays. These include social welfare services, immigration counter services, cultural services, postal services, environmental hygiene services, law enforcement, passenger/cargo clearance, and penal operations.
"Departments may continue to explore the feasibility of allowing more frontline staff to work according to a 'five-day-work, two-day-off' schedule, provided that public service interface remains unaffected. Departments must adhere to the four basic principles of the five-day week initiative - no additional staffing resources; no reduction in the conditioned hours of service of individual staff; no reduction in emergency services; and continued provision of some essential counter services on Saturdays."
For details of the government five-day week arrangement, people may browse over a dedicated website (www.gov.hk/info/5day/) or make enquiries to the 24-hour 1823 Citizen's Easy Link.
Ends/Monday, May 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:38
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