XN000022-1993-05-19 — Page 28

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1993

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SOCIAL WORKERS MAY TAKE PART IN POLITICS

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SOCIAL WORKERS IN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE THE RIGHT TAKE PART IN PUBLIC LIFE, JUST LIKE OTHER HONG KONG CITIZENS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN HER WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MRS WONG SAID SUCH RIGHT INCLUDED STANDING FOR ELECTION OR BEING APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLIC OFFICES SUCH AS MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS OR THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL.

SHE SAID SINCE 1989, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE HAD DEVELOPED A SET OF ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES OR POINTERS WITH REGARD ΤΟ STAFF TAKING PUBLIC OFFICES FOR THE GENERAL REFERENCE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.

"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THESE GUIDELINES IS TO FACILITATE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND TO CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS BETWEEN AGENCIES AND THEIR STAFF," SHE SAID.

MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT AS THE FUNDING BODY, THE GOVERNMENT MONITORED THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS THROUGH THE USE OF OUTPUT MEASURES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS,

THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE SUBVENTED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE INTENDED STANDARDS, SHE ADDED.

AS

REGARDS SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE SECRETARY SAID GUIDELINES WERE PROVIDED TO CIVIL SERVANTS ON JOINING POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS OR PARTICIPATING IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

"THERE IS NO OBJECTION TO NON-DIRECTORATE GOVERNMENT SOCIAL WORKERS IN ENGAGING IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, EXCEPT FOR STANDING FOR ELECTION, PROVIDED SUCH ACTIVITIES DO NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OWN DUTIES AND DO NOT TAKE PLACE DURING THEIR NORMAL WORKING HOURS, SHE SAID.

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"HOWEVER, AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD REMAIN POLITICALLY NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED IMPARTIALLY,' SHE ADDED.

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ASKED ABOUT THEIR NUMBER, MRS WONG SAID THERE WERE ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT GRADE AND THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER GRADE.

IN ADDITION, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS EMPLOY ABOUT 2,800 SOCIAL WORKERS IN SUBVENTED POSTS.

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