Remarks by SCS at media session
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (October 11):
Reporter: How do you respond to concerns that the current point scale salary structure does not adequately differentiate between high and low performers, what measures are being proposed to address this, and also can you elaborate on the reward and penalty assessment measures that will be implemented under the accountability system? And, will the findings from second tier investigations be disclosed to the public?
Secretary for the Civil Service: For civil servants, we have an appraisal system, a system that assesses the performance levels of civil servants. We have observed that in some cases, the assessment is done in a more lenient than realistic way, and so we are now proposing to establish a more stringent appraisal system that reflects more accurately the performance of civil servants. And with this, and with the incremental point system closely associated with the performance of civil servants, when we have a more realistic, more accurate assessment of civil service performance, the incremental point system will also achieve its objective of rewarding only those who have performed well. As for the Heads of Department Accountability System, I believe when the second tier investigation has to be triggered when the Public Service Commission has to come into work to do the investigation, it must be something that the public is very concerned about. The Government, as always, in these circumstances, will disclose or will let the public know in an appropriate way the details of the case and what are the findings, and so on. In some cases, the investigation may involve personal data, privacy concern and so on, so the government will see to an appropriate way of disclosing details to the public. But as always, we will be transparent, we will let the public informed of matters that they are concerned about.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Source: AI-found images
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 14), in which several oxy-acetylene cylinders fell from a container during a lifting operation and hit workers underneath, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two workers. The LD is saddened by the death and injury of the workers in the accident, and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and the injured workers.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lifting operation at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To prevent loads being lifted from falling and hitting workers, the LD reminds employers to ensure that (i) the loads have been safely and securely connected to lifting gear before lifting operations; (ii) the gate of the container holding the loads is properly locked or fastened; and (iii) lifting zone is demarcated and barricaded, with no one entering the zone during lifting operations.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.
Source: AI-found images
