20pc decline in dismissed civil servants

A total of 1,152 civil servants faced formal disciplinary action for serious misconduct or criminal convictions over the past five fiscal years, with 225 of them dismissed from service, according to a Civil Service Bureau document submitted to the Legislative Council.

The Bureau reported that 40 civil servants were dismissed in the last fiscal year alone — a decrease of approximately 20 percent compared to the previous year.

An additional 2,360 personnel underwent simplified disciplinary procedures for less serious misconduct.

As of last month, 20 civil servants with consistently poor performance were notified that they must improve to an acceptable standard within a designated observation period or face mandatory retirement.

Among them, four have since been compelled to retire, and two resigned after receiving the formal notice.

The Bureau also noted that some employees resigned voluntarily after learning their department intended to take action, even before the observation period began.