Hong Kong public service struggles with 20% or more vacancies in some departments
- Broadcaster RTHK has highest vacancy rate at 23.8 per cent – 175 jobs – unfilled; police force tops numbers game with 6,837 posts open, almost 18 per cent
- But Civil Service Bureau says higher percentage turnovers often involve smaller departments, where low numbers of leavers can skew figures
Hong Kong’s public service departments have almost 20,000 vacancies, with some having up to 20 per cent or more of posts unfilled as the number of retirees continues to rise.
The Civil Service Bureau revealed on Friday that RTHK, the city’s public broadcaster, had the highest vacancy rate, with 175 posts unfilled- 23.8 per cent – and the police force had the highest number of jobs available, 6,837, 17.9 per cent of its total establishment.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department registered a 20 per cent staff shortfall with 460 vacancies.
The Education Bureau recorded a 15.6 per cent vacancy rate with 983 posts unfilled.
The bureau revealed in a written reply to lawmakers that there were 172,549 civil servants across 78 government bureau and departments and 19,744 vacancies, a 10.3 per cent vacancy rate, in November last year.