Postmen denied permanent contracts offered priority for other civil service roles

Hundreds of Hong Kong postmen denied permanent contracts will get priority for other civil service jobs and easier entry requirements for clerical posts, as the postal service grapples with financial strain.

The Civil Service Bureau outlined the concessionary measures in a closed-door briefing with union representatives and lawmakers on Tuesday, in a bid to support the postal staff affected by Hongkong Post’s unprecedented cost-saving move following its report of a record deficit.

The government department’s announcement in August sparked criticism within the civil service after it said it would stop offering permanent civil service positions to about 200 employees on probation, instead offering them two-year contracts.