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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL · 25 May 1988
As can be seen from the above figures, the number of civil servants resign has remained small and has been made up mainly of officers in the lower ranks, that is below the senior professional level. By and large, the vacancies created have been successfully filled by suitable candidates. As in any large organisa- tion, Sir, we monitor very closely wastage and resignation rates. Our judgement is that the efficiency of the Administration has not so far been affected by these resignations to any significant extent.
To see the situation in the overall context, it is useful to look at the figures in terms of the percentage of resignations to total strength. On this basis, the average resignation rate since 1981-82 has been some 2.2 per cent of total strength. The figures for the past three years have been 1.5 per cent, 1.4 per cent and 2.2 per cent. These figures remain low when compared with many large companies in the private sector, where I understand, Sir, that rates of around 10 per cent are not uncommon.
DR. LAM (in Cantonese): Sir, will the Government inform this Council whether the policy of localisation in certain government departments has been adversely affected and delayed owing to resignation or early retirement?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, I do not think the figures that I have for the resignation. rate in government departments, even in the worst cases, have affected in any material way the localisation policy. Our policy on localisation is that it should be at the recruitment level and there is no shortage of recruits from local officers in any of the major fields of activity of the Government.
MR. POON CHI-FAI (in Cantonese): Sir, will the Government inform this Council which department sees the highest resignation rate, and what are the causes?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, some of the smaller departments are losing at a greater rate than the others. For example, the Audit Department; there have been four auditors who have left in the last year over a strength of 27, which is a resignation rate of 14 per cent. As for assistant librarians, the figures are similar, at 11 per cent; physiotherapists at 14 per cent; and in the social welfare officer grade, the rate is about 10 per cent. But I am citing these as the worst cases in answer to Mr. Poon Chi-fai's question, Sir. Overall, as I have explained, the figures are extremely low. As to the reasons why people are leaving the service, civil servants are not required to give reasons why they should resign. Various reasons are, however, given voluntarily. They include joining the private sector due to more attractive offers there; continuing their education; emigration; and family reasons.
MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, will the Administration inform this Council of the number and percentage of civil servants in the senior professional level seeking early retirement in the last three years?
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