The chairman of Hong Kong's Federation of Civil Service Unions has warned that tighter disciplinary rules risk becoming excessive amid efforts to address underperforming staff. The Civil Service Bureau plans to revise regulations this year, including stricter rules on withholding salaries during suspensions and confiscating such pay.
Leung Chau-ting, chairman of the Federation of Civil Service Unions in Hong Kong, has raised concerns over the Civil Service Bureau's plans. Responding to a lawmaker's inquiry, the bureau said it aims to implement revised Public Service (Administration) Order and Public Service (Disciplinary) Regulation this year to improve the disciplinary mechanism, including tightening rules on withholding salaries during suspensions and confiscating withheld pay.
The bureau revealed that 151 civil servants were dismissed for serious misconduct or criminal offences between 2022 and 2025. The numbers dropped steadily from 60 in 2022-23 to 51 in 2023-24 and 40 in 2024-25, with 73 dismissed for criminal offences and 78 for misconduct. Dismissals were highest among police officers at 44.
Leung told the South China Morning Post that tighter disciplinary action risked becoming excessive, with some supervisors acting aggressively under pressure to meet headcount reduction targets. He expressed worries over civil servant retention.