Police holiday compensation is unfair, says Sulu Sou

Lawmaker Sulu Sou urged for an equalization of holiday compensation scheme within the public security force in his recent interpellation.

There are principles governing the work hours and related arrangements of civil servants, including those in the public security forces. However, these principles are not applicable to on-shift public security force officers.

Generally, when civil servants are required to work on public holidays, they are entitled to the corresponding number of compensated holidays.

On-shift public security force officers, however, cannot benefit from this policy, and only get 100 salary points of compensation, which is now worth MOP8,500.

Furthermore, normal working hours are 36 per week, but these officers can sometimes be required to work for more than 44 hours per week.

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak has explained that because they have monetary compensation, they are ineligible to be given extra holidays. Nonetheless, Sou pointed out that regular public security officers can get both monetary and holiday compensation when they are required to work on public holidays.

The lawmaker questioned if the holiday compensation scheme can be equalized. He also urged for improvements in other areas related to the provisions that govern the working hours of public security force officers. AL