Public Service Research Office Legislative Council Secretariat ISSH36/18-19 Extension of the service of civil servants Figure 1 – Hong Kong labour force projection, Highlights 2017-2066 In the face of an ageing population and a shrinking ('000) labour force (Figure 1), the Government, being the 3 700 largest employer in Hong Kong, announced in 2015 3 600 a new retirement age for new recruits employed 3 500 3 400 on or after 1 June 2015 at 65 for civilian staff and 3 300 60 for disciplined services staff. Serving civil servants joining the Government between 3 200 1 June 2000 and 31 May 2015 are also allowed to 3 100 choose to retire at 65 (for civilian grades) or 60 (for 3 000 2017 2024 2031 2038 2045 2052 2059 2066 disciplined services grades) on a voluntary basis. As at 16 February 2019, about 16 000 or 29% of some 56 000 eligible civil servants had chosen to Figure 2 – Breakdown of full-time PRSC staff by retire at a later date. B/Ds, position as at end-June 2018 In addition to raising the retirement age, a number (a) The top seven B/Ds by the number of applications of flexible measures have also been introduced to received extend the service of civil servants after their Bureau/Department/Office Number of Number of retirements. These include (a) the Post-retirement applications full-time Service Contract ("PRSC") Scheme; (b) further involved PRSC staff employment for a longer duration of up to Working Family and Student 878 21 five years; and (c) the final extension of service up Financial Assistance Agency Water Supplies Department 813 227 to 120 days. Following the completion of one Electrical and Mechanical 547 162 scheme, eligible officers may participate in another Services Department scheme. Fire Services Department 529 89 Leisure and Cultural Services 527 103 PRSC Scheme was introduced in November 2015 Department allowing government bureaux and department Environment Bureau / 425 83 ("B/Ds") to engage retired/retiring civil servants on Environmental Protection Department contract terms to undertake ad hoc or time-limited Customs and Excise Department 416 151 tasks which call for specific civil service expertise/experience. As at end-June 2018, the (b) The top seven B/Ds by the number of PRSC staff Government employed 1 978 full-time PRSC staff employed for a term not exceeding three years out of Bureau/Department/Office Number of Number of 8 004 applications received. About 97% of the applications full-time PRSC Scheme contract duration was of one year or involved PRSC staff less. Water Supplies Department 813 227 Electrical and Mechanical Services 547 162 Analyzed by B/Ds, the Working Family and Student Department Customs and Excise Department 416 151 Financial Assistance Agency employed only Food and Environmental Hygiene 236 129 21 full-time PRSC staff while receiving the most Department number of applications as at end-June 2018 Agriculture, Fisheries and 266 116 (Figure 2a). Over the same period, the Water Conservation Department Supplies Department employed the most number Correctional Services Department 254 114 Leisure and Cultural Services 527 103 of full-time PRSC staff from the large number of Department applications it received (Figure 2b). Extension of the service of civil servants (cont'd) Figure 3 – Completed further employment selection Highlights exercises as at February 2019 In light of the needs to ensure succession (a) The top five B/Ds by percentage share of applications planning and to retain valuable Hong Kong Police Force expertise/experience, individual B/Ds may invite 10% 5% General Grades Office eligible officers to apply for further employment 8% 40% Government Logistics Department to serve beyond their retirement age for a longer 15% duration of up to five years. Water Supplies Department 22% Fire Services Department The Government received a total of 2 008 further 14Other other 14 B/DsB/Ds employment applications as at February 2019, of Total: 2 008 which 809 or 40% were filed by staff of the (b) The top five B/Ds by the number of applications approved Hong Kong Police Force (Figure 3a). It approved 500 1 000 1 500 2 000 1 595 or 79% of the applications received. Total 1 595 Among all B/Ds, the Hong Kong Police Force had the most number of approved applications Hong Kong Police Force 576 (Figure 3b), at 576, and 517 or 90% of which General Grades Office 416 were at the grade of Junior Police Officer. Government Logistics Department The arrangements for processing applications for Water Supplies Department Number of applications final extension of service were revised in Fire Services Department Number of applications approved February 2016. Since then, service of serving civil servants may be extended up to 120 days if Figure 4 – Application for final extension of service, the approval criteria (such as satisfactory 25 February 2016-24 February 2019 performance, physical fitness of the officer (a) The top five B/Ds by percentage share of applications concerned and no undue promotion blockage) are met. After three years of implementation Hong Kong Police Force 19% of the revised arrangements, B/Ds received a Civil Service Bureau total of 8 725 applications. Of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 13% 8 179 applications processed, 6 318 were Housing Department approved with an approval rate of 77%. 11% Fire Services Department 6% 6% Analysed by B/Ds, the Hong Kong Police Force received the most applications for extension of (b) The top five B/Ds by the number of applications processed service (1 657 in number or 19% in percentage and approved share of the total) (Figure 4a), followed by the 500 1 000 1 500 Civil Service Bureau and the Food and Hong Kong Police Force 1 164 Environmental Hygiene Department. They approved a total of 1 164, 978 and Civil Service Bureau 978 618 applications respectively (Figure 4b). Food and Environmental 618 Hygiene Department Housing Department 441 Received Processed and Fire Services Department 431 Approved Data sources: Latest figures from the Civil Service Bureau and the Census and Statistics Department. Research Office Information Services Division Legislative Council Secretariat 2 October 2019 Tel: 3919 3548 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Statistical Highlights are compiled for Members and Committees of the Legislative Council. They are not legal or other professional advice and shall not be relied on as such. Statistical Highlights are subject to copyright owned by The Legislative Council Commission (The Commission). The Commission permits accurate reproduction of Statistical Highlights for non-commercial use in a manner not adversely affecting the Legislative Council, provided that acknowledgement is made stating the Research Office of the Legislative Council Secretariat as the source and one copy of the reproduction is sent to the Legislative Council Library. The paper number of this issue of Statistical Highlights is ISSH36/18-19. 2 .