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CONFIDENTIAL
4KK 430/1
Mr Mucray
letters
to
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
issue
HONG KONG: SHORTHAND AUDIO-TYPISTS' ASSOCIATION
1.
22N
Seen.
Plit
During my recent visit to Hong Kong I discussed this case, using the brief prepared for me in the Office and also various w2 supplementary briefs provided by the Hong Kong Civil Service Branch
and the Shorthand and Audio-Typists' Association (now the Stenographers' Association). I also met Mrs Cheung and two other members of the Committee of the Association.
2.
Although the questions of pay and comparability with similar jobs in the private sector is at the heart of the present dispute, the stenographers' feelings of discrimination would probably not be so strong were it not for the fact that a massive promotion jam exists in the grade. Their salary scale is a short one and normally a girl, after a year or two at the top of the scale, would be expected to be promoted either to Superintendent of Typists or to Personal Secretary. Because of various reorganizations in the Hong Kong Government there are now 350 girls at the top of the salary scale, more than 90% of them are over 25 (the target age for promotion to Personal Secretary) and there is little hope of clearing this jam completely for at least another three years. stenographers also have grievances about the loss of dowry payments and maternity leave, which were surrendered by them in return for pay concessions in 1976.
The
3. It is difficult to see what more the Hong Kong Government could have done given the framework of their normal system of negotiation and the climate of opinion on staff relations in Hong Kong. They have spent a total of more than 40 hours in discussion and negotiation with the stenographers but have failed to come to a conclusion. The problem is that the Civil Service Branch in Hong Kong is out of touch with modern opinion on staff relations. They feel, sincerely, that the stenographers do not have a case.
Mrs Cheung
CONFIDENTIAL