Municipal Affairs Bureau set for major changes, including functions transfer

In his Policy Address earlier this year, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai announced the government’s orderly restructuring of departmental functions, culminating in Friday’s unveiling of draft amendments that abolish the Municipal Affairs Bureau’s (IAM) special personnel regulations, requiring over a thousand personnel to sign new administrative appointment contracts.

Sam’s Policy Address emphasizes that deepening public administration reform will be a key priority for the current government, with a comprehensive review of the IAM organizational structure and relevant laws and regulations expected this year, and the second phase of restructuring scheduled to be completed next year.

On Friday, the drafted bill was announced at an Executive Council press conference proposing to abolish the special personnel rules applicable to the IAM and replace them with general employment contracts – specifically, administrative appointment contracts – impacting over 1,600 individuals.

This proposal is set to take effect in June next year. Authorities have stressed that the transition will not reduce the bureau’s personnel numbers or lead to staff dismissals, affirming that the workforce will be preserved, though a slight decrease may occur due to functional transfers and natural attrition over time.

“To ensure a smooth transition for personnel, the bill proposes that after the new law takes effect, administrative appointment contracts will be re-signed with the relevant staff. Previously accrued service time will continue to be recognized, and the validity of training courses attended will be maintained,” said Executive Council spokesperson André Cheong while introducing the bill to the media.

The bill also proposes transferring the bureau’s current responsibilities for street naming, address numbering, and maintenance of road and drainage networks to the Secretariat for Transport and Public Works. Approximately 150 staff members are expected to be reassigned to this portfolio.

Two bureaus merged into one

Meanwhile, the Executive Council has also completed discussions on a draft regulation proposing to merge the Printing Bureau (IO) with the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), reorganizing and streamlining the structures of both entities. Authorities stated that the new Legal Affairs Bureau will inherit the original functions of both bureaus.

The current structure, which includes six senior officials and 14 divisions across two bureaus, will be consolidated into one bureau chief and two deputy chiefs, overseeing five divisions and four sections.

The regulation is expected to take effect on October 31, with the combined staff totaling 460 personnel after the merger.

New regulations for public sector organization structure

In a significant revision of the public sector organization structure that has been in place for over 40 years, draft administrative regulations have been proposed to establish upper limits on the number of leadership positions and internal subordinate units within bureaus.

Unless special circumstances are approved by the Chief Executive, bureaus will be required to adhere to these limits based on their functions and personnel size.

Bureaus with 200 or fewer personnel will be allowed two leadership positions, two department-level subordinate units, and four division-level subordinate units.

Those with 200 to 1,000 personnel will have limits of three leadership positions, six department-level subordinate units, and twelve division-level subordinate units. For bureaus with 1,000 or more personnel, the regulation permits four leadership positions, eight department-level subordinate units, and sixteen division-level subordinate units.

Additionally, the regulation stipulates that new bureaus may only be established when new functions emerge that cannot be adequately addressed through adjustments to the existing organizational structure. This regulation is set to take effect the day after it is promulgated.