Some 156 applications have been lodged for voluntary departure from the civil service under a scheme launched two months ago in connection with the divestment of the Housing Authority's retail and car parking facilities.

The Housing Department said the Voluntary Exit Scheme has a quota of 646 places and was open to about 6,000 department staff.

The package is the same as that under the second Voluntary Retirement Scheme offered to civil servants last year. The benefits include a lump-sum ex-gratia payment plus immediate payment of pension benefits.

Staff can choose to leave the civil service only upon securing employment with Link Management, a new company established to manage the real estate investment trust to be set up for the purpose of the divestment.

Among the applicants, about 60% have opted to leave subject to securing employment with Link Management. The remaining applicants will leave unconditionally.

The department will redeploy those who choose to remain in the civil service and there will not be any forced redundancy of surplus staff.