A more rigorous appraisal system for Hong Kong’s civil servants aims to bolster public trust and support, but adjustment to the changes will take time, the city’s leader has said.
Facing backlash from unions, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the government would provide further explanation of the revamped appraisal system, which he described as a “fair reward and punishment mechanism” to enhance morale within the civil service.
The government unveiled enhancement measures for the appraisal system last month, under which the bottom 10 per cent of performers — those rated D to F on a six-grade scale — will be denied a pay increment for at least six months.
Advertisement
The scheme will be rolled out progressively, with the first phase set to launch in October. Each department will initially select one or two grades to participate.
The move has raised concerns among civil servants. Last week, the Police Force Council Staff Associations questioned the suitability of applying the new system to disciplinary forces, warning that the mechanism could lead to favouritism and sycophancy, as well as undermine the civil service’s long-standing culture of integrity.
Advertisement
Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said the plan had been introduced in response to calls from across sectors to strengthen the civil service appraisal system, adding that it was a “very sensible and practical measure” to create a clearer reward and punishment system.
“I can understand that civil servants may take time to adapt to the new system,” he said.