CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
On June 1, 2000, the Government introduced a new fringe benefits package which includes revised leave earning rates, a new leave passage arrangement and non- accountable housing benefits for recruits.
To introduce progressively elements of performance-based rewards into the Civil Service system, the Administration launched a pilot scheme on team-based performance rewards in six voluntary departments in late 2001.
3. Conduct and Discipline
In April 2000, the Government introduced measures to streamline the disciplinary procedures and set up an independent Secretariat on Civil Service Discipline to handle disciplinary cases in a prompt, impartial and equitable manner.
4. Performance Management, Training and Development
The Administration has issued guidelines to tighten rules on the award of increments and reinforce the application of Civil Service Regulations on stoppages and deferrals of increments for officers with sub-standard performance at work. They came into effect on October 1, 2000.
Training and development programmes are used extensively to support the implementation of the reform initiatives. In February, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved funding of $50 million for the Government to introduce a three-year Training and Development Programme from 2001-02 to 2003-04. The programme provides 90 000 additional training places, focusing on training for staff affected by the VR exercise, training to equip staff with the requisite skills and knowledge to implement the Civil Service Reform initiatives, as well as to inculcate a new service and continuous learning culture.
The changes the Government has introduced will provide the necessary flexibility and capability to allow the Civil Service to respond quickly to community needs; to provide a more motivating and positive work environment; and to further a performance-based, service-oriented management culture.
The Government will continue to implement the approved reform initiatives with care and sensitivity, taking full account of the views of civil servants as well as the community at large.
Civil Service Training and Development
The Civil Service Training and Development Institute (CSTDI), the Government's central training and development agency, provides training and advisory services to all departments and bureaux through offering a wide spectrum of training and development programmes.
Much effort has been devoted to promoting a lifelong learning culture in the Civil Service. In April 2001, a three-year Training and Development (T&D) Programme was launched to help civil servants develop a self-learning attitude and acquire enhanced skills and updated knowledge to meet changing service requirements. Under the programme, a service-wide Learning Symposium and Exhibition was organised that month and a Training Incentive Scheme launched to offer financial incentives to civil servants to embark on self-initiated and employment-related external studies.
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