Open recruitment for hygiene chief ‘can attract innovator for tech push’

Hong Kong’s civil service chief has defended a decision to open up recruitment externally for the role of food and environmental hygiene director, saying the move aims to attract experts who can take the lead in using technology to enforce laws.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan also stressed on Monday that anyone hired externally would have no chance to climb the ranks as the next role would be permanent secretary, a position which, under regulations, must be held by administrative officers.

The government’s decision to hold open recruitment for the director’s post and the role of the head of the Information Services Department marks a departure from the traditional practice of appointing career administrative officers to such senior roles.

Yeung told at a Legislative Council panel meeting that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had undergone significant transformations in recent years.

“We believe there can be breakthroughs in the use of technology and different approaches to law enforcement within the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department,” she said. “At this juncture, we want to see if there are external experts who can do more in these specific areas.”

She added that administrative officers were still welcome to apply for the position.