Key facts
- Hundreds of Hong Kong postmen will receive priority for other civil service jobs.
- Affected postmen will have eased entry requirements for clerical posts.
- Hongkong Post is moving over 200 employees to two-year contracts due to financial losses.
- The Civil Service Bureau is offering these concessions to support affected staff.
- Priority will be given to candidates with tied scores for clerical roles.
- Probation periods will be handled flexibly for transferring staff.
Hong Kong postmen who will not receive permanent contracts are being offered priority and relaxed entry requirements for other civil service positions as Hongkong Post grapples with financial difficulties. The postal service has reported a record deficit, leading to a decision to rehire over 200 employees, whose probation was ending, on two-year contracts instead of permanent terms.
The Civil Service Bureau has introduced measures to assist these affected workers in transitioning to new roles. These include priority selection for clerical assistant and assistant clerical officer positions, with eased academic requirements. Candidates with tied scores will be given preference, and probation periods will be handled flexibly. Affected employees can also transfer to other government departments and become civil servants after a one-year probation, with their salaries guaranteed not to fall below their current levels.
Union representatives have largely welcomed the concessions, viewing them as a positive step towards securing stable, long-term employment for the affected postal staff. However, some concerns remain regarding the long-term implications of the two-year contracts and the overall postal reform. The starting salaries for clerical positions are generally lower than those for postmen and postal officers, but the potential for promotion to higher-paying roles exists.