Dear Colleagues,

Office Dress in Summer Months

At the LegCo session today, the Chief Executive made a public appeal for energy conservation in order to improve air quality in Hong Kong.  The Government will adopt a series of measures to reduce emission of air pollutants and energy consumption.  The Chief Executive also announced the Government will launch a "dress down in summer" campaign.

I write to echo the call made by the CE.

In recent years, government offices have set the air-conditioning at 25.5^oC during summer, to help reduce energy consumption and improve air quality.  To complement the energy conservation policy of the Government, civil servants may wear smart casual dress in summer months.  This has been clearly provided for in CSB Circular No. 7/2005 on office dress.

Based on my observation, there are still some colleagues who have not adopted a more relaxed code of business attire in summer.  I would like to encourage everyone to dress casual and smart in summer, and to discard jackets and ties.  This would engender a more comfortable work environment and enhance efficiency.

I hope every colleague will participate in the "dress down in summer" campaign, thereby setting a good example for others in the community.

Yours sincerely,

(Miss Denise YUE)
Secretary for the Civil Service