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most major companies in the private sector.
Resignation
rates at the directorate and senior management/professional
levels were below 2 per cent. Nonetheless, the ability of
the private sector to offer better terms and conditions has
made certain grades susceptible to higher wastage. Some
grades have also lost staff through emigration. Measures to
ensure the retention of adequate experience and expertise in these grades are under consideration.
54. In October 1990, a new civil service housing package
was introduced. The main objectives of the new package are
to make more effective use of resources and to encourage
home ownership among civil servants. Staff response towards the new package was very favourable as indicated by the large number of applications (over 6,500) received during
the first months after the introduction of the package.
55.
There can be no doubt that concern about the future and
the related issues of nationality and pensions, together with the additional demands being made on their services,
have affected civil servants' morale. Civil servants have
aired their grievances during the year but the standard of
public services has remained high.
XII
LAW AND ORDER
56.
During 1990, the total number of reported crimes
increased by 8 per cent, with armed robberies and theft of
vehicles causing the greatest local concern. The crime rate increased by over 7 per cent. The smuggling of
electrical appliances, vehicles, etc into China also
increased sharply. In response, new legislation was introduced to enhance enforcement action against smuggling,
whilst cooperation was stepped up with the Chinese
authorities to tackle the problem.
57.
The fight against organised crime continues. Stricter
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