Civil Service Bureau issues updated Civil Service Code (Draft for Consultation) (with photos/video)
******************************************************************************************
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said there are two major goals for updating the Code. First, to let civil servants have a clear understanding that the Constitution and the Basic Law jointly form the constitutional basis and order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the constitutional roles and responsibilities of civil servants under this basis. Second, to clearly spell out the core values and standards of conduct for civil servants in view of social development and in response to public expectations, which serve as an important guide for civil servants in their daily work, decision-making and conduct.
The updated Code (Draft for Consultation) has the following parts:
(I) Introduction;
(II) One Country, Two Systems;
(III) Oath-taking and Declaration Requirement by Civil Servants;
(IV) Civil Servants' Core Values and Standards of Conduct;
(V) Civil Service and the Political Appointment System;
(VI) Independent Role of the Public Service Commission; and
(VII) Conclusion.
All civil servants and government employees appointed on non-civil service terms must observe the Code. This is a requirement under their letters of appointment or employment contracts, which is in line with the current arrangement.
The prevailing Code was promulgated in 2009 and has been in place since then. The Government strives to improve governance, and civil servants are the backbone of the Government. Their integrity, ability and efficiency are the key to improving governance. As the expectations and demands of the community towards the Government and the civil service have continuously grown, the Government sees the need to update the Code to spell out clearly the core values and standards of conduct which present-day civil servants should uphold, and the constitutional basis and order of the HKSAR, in order to help civil servants understand their constitutional roles and responsibilities as members of the executive authorities.
The updated Code (Draft for Consultation) has been uploaded onto the Civil Service Bureau's website (www.csb.gov.hk). Any views can be submitted on or before January 19, 2024, via email (opinions@csb.gov.hk) or by post to 8/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong (please specify on the envelope "Views on Updating the Civil Service Code").
The Government will take into account the views received to finalise the updated Code for promulgation.
Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN
Photo
Audio / Video
Civil Service Bureau issues updated Civil Service Code (Draft for Consultation)