G.F. 326
CONFIDENTIAL ##
2
Mood and Morale
4.
Civil servants have generally accepted the arrangements for Hong Kong's future as laid down by the
provisions of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and during the period under review have focussed their
attention on more mundane issues such as pay and conditions
of service. The annual pay adjustment exercise has been
completed and staff on the whole were satisfied with the
award which tapered from 11.3% at the bottom of the Master
Pay Scale to 8.7% at the top of the scale. The Directorate
Pay Scale was adjusted upwards by an average of 8.5%. Some
unions continue to press for the payment of the 'shortfall'
which they consider that Government owes them following
the 1983 pay adjustment exercise. In terms of job performance,
overall morale remains high and the service has continued to
remain free from industrial action.
Recruitment of Administrative Officers 1984-85
5.
Of the 594 candidates who passed the first qualifying examination, the best 210 attended a second written test on 19 March 1985. Preliminary interviews are now taking place in Hong Kong with a view to shortlisting
up to 60 candidates for the final selection process. A few
interviews of local candidates will be held in London during May and it is anticipated that 15 to 25 new officers will be recruited, the first of whom should report for duty in
July.
Size of the Civil Service
6.
During the financial year 1984-85 the civil service expanded by 3,041 posts or 1.7% of the total
establishment. Almost all the new posts were created to provide additional services to the community in the medical field and in the disciplined services. As at 1 April 1985
the strength of the civil service stood at some 174,000.
17. In 1985-86
CONFIDENTIAL #3
...
Page 75Page 76