CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
Report of the Civil Service Branch for the period :
1 May 1982 to 31 July 1982
Growth of the Civil Service
The civil service establishment has grown by
an average of 5.35% p.a. compound over the last ten years;
the rate of growth has been significantly higher in
the last 2-3 years. This has created a number of problems
(e.g. dilution of experience in the middle and junior
management ranks; insufficient staff management; shortage
of offices and quarters; etc.) and has also been criticised
by UMELCO. Although the rapid growth in the past few years
has been justified, there is clearly a need now for consolidation.
The Administration has accordingly decided that, as a guideline,
the rate of growth in the civil service establishment should be
held down to between 4% and 5% in 1982/83. Similar restrictions
are also to be placed on the number of new posts in the
directorate ranks.
Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service
A. Pay Policy Review
2.
A joint study by the Official and Staff Sides of
the Senior Civil Service Council concluded that there were
fundamental objections to taking account of levels of
fringe benefits in an overall pay adjustment based on the
findings of a pay trend survey. The Standing Commission
has indicated that it does not accept this conclusion and
that, in the 1983 pay adjustment exercise, steps should be
/taken