Govt unveils planned changes to Civil Service Code
The government on Wednesday released a planned updated code of conduct for civil servants, stressing the need for public officers to safeguard sovereignty, national security and development interests.  The draft new Civil Service Code, which includes 12 core values and standards of conduct, states that civil servants must not refuse to implement government policies they do not agree with, or adopt a passive attitude in implementing them.  Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung said some civil servants had misinterpreted the meaning of political neutrality in the past and that it should be based on their loyalty to the country and the SAR government. Asked what it means to have a passive attitude, Yeung said a person's behaviour speaks for itself.    "I think it's rather obvious that someone is passively and not actively, not enthusiastically carrying out one's duties. One's heart is not in it. One does not try his best. I cannot quote a specific example because I think most civil servants who I encounter have performed very well, but I think it's rather obvious that someone is behaving or is doing his job passively," she said.  The updated code also says public officers must not openly criticise government policies in their capacity as civil servants, though Yeung dismissed suggestions that officials will conduct online checks.   "I have to emphasise that we are not prohibiting all civil servants from expressing any views on any government policy. We are saying that in their capacity as civil servants, they cannot criticise any government policies or support opposing views of other parties," she said. "In their capacity as private individuals, they have the freedom to express their views, but they should take care that their views are not mistaken as the government's official position." Yeung added that the more high-ranking a civil servants is, the more cautious he or she has to be in expressing views in private.  Speaking after meeting with Yeung, the chair of the Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, Fung Chuen-chung, said he welcomed the planned changes.  Fung also dismissed concerns that civil servants need to be more careful when expressing views on issues such as salary adjustments in the future. "I think the government has a clear answer. When it comes to issues related to the duties of civil service unions, such as pay, benefits and rights, we will continue to play our roles. So, we have no concerns about this," he told reporters.  Meanwhile, Suzanne Tong, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Federation of Civil Service Unions, said her group is concerned about the definition of "criticism" and "expression of opinions".    A consultation exercise for the updated Civil Service Code will run until January 19._____________________________
Last updated: 2023-12-13 HKT 22:15 