Global trend: Secretary for the Civil Service Denise Yue says a five-day week is becoming standard practice around the world, which is good for workers' health and beneficial to the local economy.

The Government will review the five-day week initiative one month after its July 1 implementation to fine-tune the arrangement as necessary and decide on the arrangements for the second phase to be implemented on January 1, 2007.

Speaking on RTHK's "Dialogue with Secretaries" programme today, Secretary for the Civil Service Denise Yue said the use of Government services set to be suspended on Saturdays has always been low and this move will have no significant impact on the public.

Internet services, drop boxes and alternative payment channels will be made available or enhanced to facilitate business transactions with the Government, she added.

Miss Yue stressed that a five-day week is a global trend, which is good for workers' health and indirectly beneficial to the local economy.

She said different sectors may have different kinds of working patterns and they can decide whether to implement a five-day week depending on their own situation. The Government would welcome it if they chose to follow suit, she added. 

Political appointments consultation set to start

She said the Administration is now studying expanding political appointments and will issue a consultation paper in two or three months.

The earliest implementation date for the initiative, if the Government decides to go ahead, will be after the third-term Chief Executive assumes office.