HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 18 January 1989
香港立法局 ——一九八九年一月十八日
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and training schemes and the introduction of computer systems and other office equipment.
MRS. FONG: Sir, I would consider that a vacancy rate of between 13 to 16% in some grades as severe shortages. In view of the fact that the Hong Kong economy has attained full employment status, can I ask what steps are being taken or being considered by the Administration other than the double-ladder promotion system for the local Crown Counsel?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, in the grades that Mrs. FONG mentioned, firstly on the question of the analyst programmers, a comprehensive consultancy on the strategic role of computerisation in the Government was conducted in 1988. Part of that consultancy dealt with ways of staffing any future data processing organization. These recommendations are now being examined and we hope to come to conclusions very shortly. On social workers, Sir, which is the other grade I mentioned where there are shortages, we have two measures in mind. Firstly, we are continuing the recruitment and training of non-social work graduates; and secondly, we are increasing the number of social work places in tertiary institutions.
MR. BARROW: Sir, in view of the very high 16.5% vacancy amongst programmers, would the Administration advise this Council if the department concerned might consider applying to the Immigration Department to bring in skilled programmers from overseas in accordance with existing immigration policy?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, as far as overseas recruitment is concerned, the Government has a policy that it will seek for local applicants in the first instance on a wide basis and, if they are not available locally, then we will go overseas for them. Clearly that would fit into existing immigration policy.
鄭德健議員問:主席先生,目前從事社會工作及電腦工作的公務員短缺情況較為嚴重,政府可否 告知本局,此事對有關部門的運作有什麼影響,對於服務市民方面有否直接影響?政府可否出 具體措施去改善上述問題?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, I think I have given the ideas for dealing with the problem in an answer to a previous question. As to what the effect is on our current programme, as far as analyst programmers are concerned there is a backlog of projects awaiting implementation and the back-up service to computer users is not as responsive as we would like, Sir, and little time can be