Less work, more leisure: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says a working group will be formed to look into ways to implement a five-day work policy for Government staff from July.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says a working group will be formed to look into ways to implement a five-day work policy for Government staff from July. The new arrangement will not apply to the Government's counter and emergency services.

Speaking at a question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council this afternoon, Mr Tsang said the new initiative would not affect the normal weekly working hours, which would remain at 44 hours.

He said the new arrangement would involve a slight increase in costs, and a saving in energy.

The Chief Executive believed the move would allow  Government staff to have more time for family and leisure activities, which may also boost consumption and benefit the city's economy. 

The working group will comprise officials from the Civil Service Bureau, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and the Efficiency Unit, Mr Tsang said, adding the civil service will be consulted on the issue.

No plan to introduce five-day work law

Understanding that most Hong Kong working people are under great pressure, Mr Tsang hoped other industries would try to adopt a five-day work policy.

However, he said it is up to them to decide whether to introduce such a policy. There is no government plan to introduce laws to make a five-day work policy a compulsory measure for all trades.

On Hong Kong's political development, Mr Tsang said the 2007 Chief Executive Election and the 2008 LegCo Election will be conducted according to the existing arrangements because his proposed package was voted down on December 21.

Reiterating that there will be no alternative proposal, the Chief Executive said minor refinements will be introduced through local legislation to ensure that the two elections can be conducted in a smooth way.

Mr Tsang said the Government will continue to study the arrangement for universal suffrage. Noting the Strategic Development Commission's committee on governance and political development will conduct a two-stage discussion, he hoped there would be a conclusion by early 2007.

Efforts focus on economic development

He said the debate on the city's political development has come to an end, adding the Government will focus on Hong Kong's economic development and ways to improve people's living standard.

It will also work hard to maintain close contact with the Central Government and promote more exchanges between the two places.

However, Mr Tsang added constructive communication requires sincerity and everyone has a role to play in the process.

The Government will do its best to improve the city's employment, he said, and will work hard to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness.

It will speed up its infrastructure projects, open up overseas markets, and lower local markets' transaction costs.

Students benefit from education reforms

On the two recent teacher suicides, Mr Tsang said it is inappropriate to speculate on the reasons for them, adding the Government will offer help to citizens to prevent similar incidents.

Stressing that students have benefitted from the recent education reforms, he urged people not to negate them because of the incidents.

Mr Tsang said the Education & Manpower Bureau has announced new measures to alleviate teachers' pressure. He also urged people to put forward suggestions on ways to support teachers.