The government requires civil servants to receive the first dose of the new crown vaccine before September 1, otherwise they must be tested at their own expense.
Seven postal unions earlier asked Guo Weiqiang, a member of the Legislative Council of the Federation of Trade Unions for help, stating that postal personnel were unable to arrange for their employees to be vaccinated during office hours due to serious shortage of staff. They hoped that the government would extend the vaccination period for postal personnel.
In an interview with Radio Hong Kong, Assistant Postmaster (Postal Services) Chen Xiangli pointed out that the first dose of vaccination is only in accordance with government regulations. He also said that dozens of additional postal staff who have retired in recent years have been hired to take up short-term contract work.
Assistant Director of Post Office says it is not feasible to arrange field teams for injections
Zhang Weiquan, chairman of the Hong Kong Post Workers Union, pointed out that in addition to daily postal work, the Post Office has to undertake a lot of work, including registration and distribution of anti-epidemic supplies, consumer vouchers, registration for injections, and convenient handling. nervous.
Zhang Weiquan pointed out that the vast majority of postal staff also want to be vaccinated, but due to a large number of civil servants rushing to vaccinate before the deadline, and the difficulty of arranging vacation due to shortage of manpower, it is difficult for some employees to get the first dose within the deadline. "Even if the book expires , Don’t put it all off."
Chen Xiangli said that all Hongkong Post staff can follow the current arrangements of the Civil Service Bureau. If they receive each dose of vaccine on or before August 31, they can enjoy a "vaccine holiday". As of August 5, there have been more than 3,800 postal staff. The personnel received at least one dose of vaccine, accounting for about 63% of the total manpower, and about 1,060 people have arranged to receive the first dose of vaccine on or before August 16.
Chen Xiangli said that the Post has deployed manpower according to the vaccination status of personnel in various departments and groups, and has hired dozens of additional postal personnel who have retired in recent years to take up short-term contract work.
As for whether the vaccination period can be extended, Chen Xiangli pointed out that the set period is only in accordance with government regulations. He also pointed out that it is not suitable to arrange field teams to give injections to post office employees. The post office has nearly 120 post offices and 150 offices in very scattered locations. Colleagues in two offices or post offices received injections on the same day, and postal services had to cease operations on the next day, so this was not feasible.
Zhang Weiquan, chairman of the Hong Kong Post Workers Union, pointed out that in addition to daily postal work, the Post Office has to undertake a lot of work.
(Provided by the Federation of Trade Unions)
01News
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