A day off per Covid jab for civil servants: sources

RTHK on Sunday learnt that the government will allow civil servants to enjoy a day off for each Covid jab they take, with sources saying an announcement will be made as early as this week.

The chairman of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, Leung Chau-ting said it was hard to predict whether public officers would get the jab because of the measure.

But he said he would still support the move, which was first floated by Chief Executive Carrie Lam last week, as government workers could use some rest after vaccination.

“Colleagues who had been vaccinated have told us there are bound to be some reactions, like a minor fever, a headache or discomfort,” he said.

He called on the authorities to offer vaccination holidays to staff working on contract or an outsourcing basis as well, saying the government could subsidise contractors to make up for the paid leave.

“You have to consider their health condition as well, you can’t treat them unfairly.”

Meanwhile, commercial sector lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said some companies were already giving their employees days off for getting the jabs.

He added that the sector might roll out more promotions to boost the inoculation rate, including campaigns for participants to win flight tickets, hotel accommodation and even matchmaking services.

“If people have got their first shot, we will provide them with the information [of potential matches] ; if they have got their second shot, we can arrange one-on-one meetings,” he said.

He added that he was considering holding a lucky draw with the General Chamber of Commerce in September in a bid to get the vaccination rate up to 70 percent from less than 20 percent currently.