CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 028
OF 0213OOZ JANUARY 90
AND TO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG
165333
MDHOAN 0536
TOP CUI ? EST Ако 340/10
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 0 JUN 1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD
RECRUITMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERS IN HONG KONG
1. THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT WISH TO ADVERTISE IN HONG KONG TO ATTRACT CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS AS SHORT SERVICE CONTRACT RECRUITS TO HELP WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S ROADS PROGRAMME FOR THE
1990S. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SENSITIVITIES, BUT CLAIM THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE ALREADY RECRUITING CIVIL ENGINEERS IN HONG KONG ON A ROUTINE AND REGULAR BASIS. THEY HOPE TO RECRUIT
INITIALLY ABOUT 20 ENGINEERS.
MIFT CONTAINS THE DRAFT OF THE ADVERTISEMENT WHICH THEY PLAN
TO PUBLISH IN HONG KONG.
2.
3. THE DTP'S CURRENT PLAN, IN RECOGNITION OF THE LOCAL SENSITIVITIES IS TO SPECIFY THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD HOLD A FULL BRITISH PASSPORT. THEY ARGUE THAT THIS WOULD AVOID ACCUSATIONS
THAT THEY ARE AGGRAVATING EMIGRATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. WE
SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE ON THIS APPROACH. IS IT HELPFUL
OR MIGHT IT BE SEEN AS DISCRIMINATIVE AND PROVOCATIVE?
4.THE DTP HAVE ALSO ASKED WHETHER THE
BTC MIGHT ACT AS THEIR 'AGENT' TO PLACE THE ADVERTISEMENTS AND SEND OUT APPLICATION FORMS, IDEALLY DURING LATE JANUARY/EARLY FEBRUARY. THEY ALSO NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD A SUPPLY OF SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON THE JOB. WE PROPOSE TO STEER THEM OFF THIS IDEA. I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THE
DTP WERE TO PLACE THE ADVERTISEMENTS THEMSELVES DIRECT WITH THE APPROPRIATE TRADE/SPECIALIST PUBLICATIONS, AND INVITE APPLICATIONS DIRECT TO LONDON. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.
HURD
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