Opinion Poll on the Civil Service
The Civil Service Bureau has recently commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to conduct an opinion poll on the performance of the civil service. I write to share with you the encouraging results of this poll.
The poll was conducted through a telephone survey on 5 to 9 October. It is the first comprehensive and professional poll commissioned by the Government to collate the opinion of the Hong Kong public towards the performance of the civil service. The poll has surveyed 1,220 respondents and the key findings are summarised below :
* 72.5% are satisfied with the performance of civil servants while 16.8% consider otherwise;
* 73.4% are satisfied with the service attitude of civil servants while 16.7% consider otherwise;
* 43.2% consider civil servants efficient while 15.3% consider otherwise, with 34.9% consider civil servants are of average efficiency;
* 40.5% consider civil servants perform better compared with pre-1997 while 11.4% consider otherwise, with 38.8% consider no change;
* 82.4% support the civil service reform while 7.4% do not; and
* 54.7% consider that the civil service reform has improved the performance of civil servants while 5.7% consider otherwise, with 26.1% consider no change.
Details of the survey can be found on the homepage of the Civil Service Bureau.
The results are an unequivocal proof of the high regard the public has in our civil service. Contrary to the view of some commentators, they also demonstrate clearly that in the eye of the public, civil servants have improved in performance since the handover and the civil service reform has contributed towards a better performing civil service.
While the results show that the percentage of respondents who consider civil servants efficient is about three times larger than the percentage of those who consider otherwise, there is still a substantial percentage (35%) who consider our civil service of average efficiency. This should remind us to do even better in enhancing our efficiency.
I understand that the rising public expectation on our performance, together with the Government's commitment to improve our services progressively, may be a cause of stress to colleagues at times. I hope you can all face these challenges positively. The well-being and good health of colleagues are my primary concern. So I encourage you to discuss any work-related problems with your supervisors and make use of our counselling service where necessary. Never forget our loving families and caring friends in times of difficulties.
I hope you will feel happier after reading this letter. Please stay happy at work and serve our understanding public with a smile.
Yours sincerely,
