Civil Servants Union Urges Review Of Dismissal Rule

The Union for New Civil Servants has called on the government not to use a “one-size-fits-all” approach to dealing with new civil servants arrested for taking part in protest and unsanctioned assemblies.

The union said in a statement that there have been many incidents in the past year involving civil servants and other people being apprehended while out for lunch, showing that even innocent bystanders not actively taking part in protests can get arrested.

“The government should handle all incidents in a humane manner and on a case-by-case basis”, the union said.

The union also said they hope the government can set clearer guidelines on conditions that make arrested civil servants unsuitable for their posts, so as to avoid the perception that the government’s action is political suppression.

The government is reportedly issuing guidelines to government departments, saying any civil servants who are on probation and have been arrested and charged or prosecuted for taking part in protests and unsanctioned rallies should be dismissed immediately.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the new move does not equate to a presumption of guilt, and was just an employment issue.