Head Of Civil Service Union Seeks Demotion Reason

The chairman of the Union for New Civil Servants, Michael Ngan, has confirmed that he has been effectively demoted from his acting position that used to give him higher pay.

In a statement, Ngan said he was told at abrupt notice that he'll no longer be acting in the capacity of a higher post.

The union is among a series that mushroomed during the social unrest that started last year. Many of them have attracted members who had drifted away from older unions, some of which are now seen as pro-government.

Ngan is one of the outspoken civil servants who had joined a rally against the government at the height of the anti-extradition movement last year.

He said he is now working at the Labour Department in his original, lower position. The union leader urged the government to explain clearly the reasons behind the move.

He added that another seven of his colleagues have also been "affected" and it has dealt a blow to the morale of his department as well as the whole civil service.