Civil Servant Recruitment Policy

Between the handover in 1997 and 2011, the Hong Kong civil service did not hire any ethnic minority new recruits (under pressure from Unison, the Police Force employed the first ethnic minority new recruit in early 2012). The government revised the civil service recruitment requirements in 2003, unifying the language requirements for all applicants and raising the required Chinese standards. Since the local education system cannot take care of the needs of ethnic minorities who are learning Chinese as a second language, the amendments in 2003 has in effect shut the door to civil service for most ethnic minority applicants.

Following our efforts with ethnic minority youth and other concerned groups, the Hong Kong Police Force eventually revised the recruitment procedures for police constables and probationary inspectors in 2011. As such, apart from English and Chinese competency, other language proficiencies for ethnic minorities will also be taken into consideration.

This revision has given hope to ethnic minority youths and increased their chance for joining the police force and civil service. It also serves as a precedent for other governmental departments.

Besides, the Hong Kong Police Force launched a pilot scheme in 2011 to hire ethnic minority youths as Police Community Liaison Assistants in 5 selected police districts.

We will go on to help ethnic minority youth apply for the posts in the police force and civil service.

Issues we are working on:

  • Review on the Civil Servant Appointment Policy
  • Opportunities in joining Civil services and professions (Police, CSD, Social Work, Nursing etc.)
  • Create contract post (Liaison officers/assistants) in SWD, LD, Housing Estates Office and public hospitals & Jockey Club clinics

Working Strategies:

  • Directly lobby and communicate with the concerned parties, e.g. Police and CSD
  • Media
  • Research

Expected outcomes:

  • The government takes the lead to provide equal opportunities in employment
  • Ethnic minorities being recruited into Civil Service (police, CSD, immigration etc.)