Page 263 of 485
238
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. TO BOON-MAN (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, I would like to follow up. I have already forwarded the follow-up questions to the Secretariat and will now read them out. According to media reports, there was a Hawker Control Officer of the Urban Services Department who was ordered to retire early for dereliction of duty. During the judicial review, he claimed that other members of his grade were also guilty of unauthorized absence from duty. I would like to know whether his allegation is true or not? Secondly, I would like to have the figures related to the offenses of unauthorised absence from duties committed by the USD Hawker Control Officers and their subordinates in the past 12 months. Thirdly, are there any measures adopted by the Department to monitor the performance of the Hawker Control Officers and their subordinates and stop the loopholes for the officers' unauthorized absence from duty?
Mr. Suen Kai-cheong (in Cantonese):- Mr. To's question consists of 3 parts. In the first part of the question, mention was made of an officer who had been disciplined and who made some allegations during the judicial review. The allegations are untrue. In fact, during the disciplinary proceedings conducted on the officer, that officer also claimed that in the General Duties Teams (i.e., the Hawker Control Teams), absence from duty without authority was common. The USD undertook investigations on this matter afterwards and found that there was no evidence to prove that such absence was a common phenomenon. Therefore, the allegation is not substantiated. Moreover, the appeal was already heard by the Court and the Court's ruling showed that our disciplinary action against the officer had the support of the Court. Of course, the officer concerned can still lodge a further appeal, so during this period it would not be appropriate for the Council to comment further on the matter.
Mr. To's second question concerns figures for the past 12 months relating to Hawker Control Officers being absent from duty without authority. In the past 12 months, 5 Hawker Control Officers were suspected to be absent from duty without authority and they are now being internally investigated. One officer was found guilty of the offense and he was given disciplinary punishment. The other 4 officers are still under investigation.
Mr. To's third question enquires about the measures on the plugging of loopholes. Currently, Hawker Control Officers are required to sign attendance registers when they report for duty and when they leave, just like Workman IIs responsible for street cleansing duties as I have just mentioned. As compared to the street cleansers, the requirements on Hawker Control Officers are even stricter because they have to attend briefings and report sessions with their immediate supervisors who will check their attendance records to ensure that the entries therein are correct. Moreover, Hawker Control Officers taking up such duties are required to keep in close contact through mobile wireless communication equipment with the Hawker Control Centres during the course of operations. Besides operational needs, such contacts enable the centre to...
Page 263 of 485
239
(The rest of the page content is not available in the given text)
£485
Page 263 of 485
238
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. TO BOON-MAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to follow up. I have already forwarded the follow-up questions to the Secretariat and will now read them out. According to media reports, there was a Hawker Control Officer of the Urban Services Department who was ordered to retire early for dereliction of duty. During the judicial review, he claimed that other members of his grade were also guilty of unauthorized absence from duty. I would like to know whether his allegation is true or not? Secondly, I would like to have the figures related to the offenses of unauthorised absence from duties committed by the USD Hawker Control Officers and their subordinates in the past 12 months. Thirdly, are there any measures adopted by the Department to monitor the performance of the Hawker Control Öfficers and their subordinates and stop the loopholes for the officers' unauthorized absence from duty?
Mr. Suen Kal-cheong (in Cantonese):-Mr. To's question consists of 3 parts. In the first part of the question, mention was made of an officer who had been disciplined and who made some allegations during the judicial review. The allegations are untrue. In fact, during the disciplinary proceedings conducted on the officer, that officer also claimed that in the General Duties Teams (i.e.. the Hawker Control Teams), absence from duty without authority was common. The USD undertook investigations on this matter afterwards and found that there was no evidence to prove that such absence was a common phenomenon. Therefore, the allegation is not substantiated. Moreover, the appeal was already heard by the Court and the Court's ruling showed that our disciplinary action against the officer had the support of the Court. Of course the officer concerned can still lodge a further appeal, so during this period it would not be appropriate for the Council to comment further on the matter.
Mr. To's second question concerns figures for the past 12 months relating to Hawker Control Officers being absent from duty without authority. In the past 12 months, 5 Hawker Control Officers were suspected to be absent from duty without authority and they are now being internally investigated. One officer was found guilty of the offense and he was given disciplinary punishment. The other 4 officers are still under investigation.
Mr. To's third question enquires the measures on the plugging of loopholes. Currently, Hawker Control Officers are required to sign attendance registers when they report for duty and when they leave, just like Workman IIs responsible for street cleansing duties as I have just mentioned. As compared to the street cleansers, the requirements on Hawker Control Officers are even stricter because they have to attend briefings and report sessions with their immediate supervisors who will check their attendance records to ensure that the entries therein are correct. Moreover, Hawker Control Officers taking up such duties are required to keep in close contacts through mobile wireless communication equipment with the Hawker Control Centres during the course of operations, Besides for operational needs, such contacts enable the centre to
£485
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.