Hong Kong Post has extended to 17 September the deadline for about 30 employees due to complete probation in September to sign and respond to new contracts, according to two unions. The decision followed meetings on 21 August between the unions, the Postmaster General and government representatives.
Under the new arrangement, the employees would be offered two-year civil service contracts after completing probation, rather than long-term appointments. The change is due to take effect from September, according to reports.
The unions said affected staff would receive one-to-one follow-up and support. They also said the authorities would examine cross-department placements or priority transfers, although the reports describe these as commitments or options relayed by the unions rather than final arrangements confirmed in a formal government announcement.
The unions further said officials would review whether employees transferred to other departments could retain their existing seniority and probationary service. They said officials would also consider handling resignation procedures and employment certificates flexibly.
The meetings were held while Postmaster General Christine Tai Suk-yiu was on leave. One report said Deputy Postmaster General Chan Heung-lei, along with representatives from the Civil Service Bureau and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, also took part.
The reported number of affected employees is not consistent across the coverage. i-CABLE News and Ming Pao referred to about 30 employees expected to complete probation in September, while Star Headline said the wider restructuring involved about 200 people. The reports do not establish whether the figures cover the same group.
Labour-sector lawmaker Lam Wai-keung was also reported by i-CABLE News to have urged the government to suspend the new arrangement and consider other options. The 17 September deadline remains the immediate date for the affected employees, while the final scope of the group and the implementation of any cross-department placements or service-credit arrangements remain unresolved.