HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Of the 1,693 temporary staff, 235 are full time or observe fixed hours, namely they have fixed on and off duty hours. The rest are part-time staff, namely they do not have fixed working hours and are employed on a need basis.
As to whether the Department will consider doing away with temporary staff. I think this relates to our actual operational needs. Yes, this point can be reviewed, but let me tell Ms. Au that there are certain posts requiring temporary staff to take up. It will be inappropriate to abolish temporary staff across the board. As mentioned in the reply document, ushers for certain venues are not required when there is no performance. If the Department employs ushers as permanent staff, what can be done? Can we simply ask them to take leave? Even if we do so, they will have not that much leave entitlement. So, their work is actually on a need basis. Then there are summer courses opened for the public. We run many more classes during summer so that the employment of temporary coaches on contract is necessary. Again, this is employment on a need basis. I just feel that abolishing the employment of temporary staff across the board would not be appropriate. Then of course, we can conduct a review on the need for temporary staff.
As to whether there were staff who successfully switched from temporary to permanent staff in the past, I do not have information in hand. I will supply Ms. Au with the information after the meeting.
I cannot recall your third question. Would you mind repeating it, Ms. Au?
Ms. GRACE AU YUK-HAR (in Cantonese):-In fact, I have 2 more questions. One is on the longest years of service for temporary staff observing fixed hours The other is whether any temporary staff made an appeal or a complaint to the Department concerning renewal of contracts.
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—I do not have information in hand in regard to Ms Au's two questions. I also do not have information in hand about the longest period of service. I will give answers to Ms. Au after the meeting.
During the process, I would like to stress that we are a big employer for the 16,000 strong number of permanent and temporary staff of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department. We do not intend to be an oppressive employer. Therefore, when a labour dispute arises, staff can appeal or express dissatisfaction through our internal mechanism. If staff feel the need for an independent body to judge, I wish to remind everyone that the relationship between the Department and the staff is subject to the Labour Ordinance. The decisions of the Department will be subject to the Labour Tribunal's judgment. Should there be work injury or any accident, we always pay compensation and deal with cases in accordance with labour laws and the decisions of the Labour Department.
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