XN000022-1992-05-13 — Page 21

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992

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POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS

A TOTAL OF 119 APPLICATIONS FROM 76 RETIRED DIRECTORATE OFFICERS FOR PERMISSION TO WORK WERE REFERRED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE FIVE- YEAR PERIOD UP TO THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR.

OF THESE, THREE WERE NOT RECOMMENDED, 31 WERE APPROVED WITH THE IMPOSITION OF A SANITISATION PERIOD OF BETWEEN ONE AND SIX MONTHS, AND THE REST WERE APPROVED WITHOUT CONDITIONS.

THE FIGURES WERE GIVEN IN A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). MR WIGGHAM SAID THE APPLICANTS INCLUDED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORATE STAFF OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND CHIEF PROFESSIONALS IN THE MEDICAL, ENGINEERING, LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING FIELDS.

"SOME OF THEM HAVE JOINED FINANCIAL AND TRADING ENTERPRISES AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHILST OTHERS HAVE ENTERED PRIVATE PRACTICE AFTER RETIREMENT.

"THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS DURING ANY EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR."

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MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT IN CONSIDERING AN APPLICATION, ADVISORY COMMITTEE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLICANT'S PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT IN POLICY FORMULATION.

VIEWS ARE SOUGHT FROM THE RESPECTIVE POLICY SECRETARIES FOR EACH APPLICATION ON THE QUESTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

CONSIDERATION IS ALSO GIVEN TO WHETHER THE PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT WILL RESULT IN THE OFFICER HAVING AN UNDESIRABLE PUBLIC PROFILE.

"CONDITIONS, SUCH AS A SANITISATION PERIOD OR SANCTIONS AGAINST DEALING WITH SPECIFIC COMPANIES MAY BE IMPOSED AS NECESSARY," HE SAID.

IF A PENSIONER TAKES UP ANY POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT WITHIN TWO YEARS (FIVE YEARS FOR AN OFFICER AT SECRETARY RANK OR ABOVE) AFTER HIS RETIREMENT WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION. THE GOVERNOR IS EMPOWERED TO SUSPEND HIS PENSION UNDER THE HONG KONG PENSIONS LEGISLATION.

THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS ALSO APPLY TO AN OFFICER AFTER HIS RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.

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