THE sacking of Hong Kong Polytechnic principal lecturer Trevor Sofield after he made complaints about his department has prompted calls for whistle-blowers to be protected.
Independent legislators Christine Loh Kung-wai and Elsie Tu said while it was unclear whether Mr Sofield's sacking was related to his complaints, legislation should be considered.
Mr Sofield, principal lecturer in the Hotel and Tourism Management Department, was told to leave within 24 hours when findings of an internal inquiry into mismanagement were announced on May 27.
Mr Sofield had made a 200-page submission to the inquiry panel. A target of his complaints, associate head of the department, Joseph Ruddy, will leave soon under mutual consent while the head, Dr Frank Go, remains.
The polytechnic said Mr Sofield's contract was not terminated because he had revealed mismanagement, but declined to explain further for legal reasons.
Ms Tu said she had dealt with many cases in which employees were sacked after pointing out malpractices in their companies.
She said while the situation had improved after the setting up of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, it was still necessary to examine whether there was a need for further legislation.
