WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 197
نیا
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PAY REVISION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
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THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A PAY REVISION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT, RANGING FROM ABOUT 10.5 PER CENT FOR THE LOWEST PAID TO ABOUT SIX PER CENT FOR TOP OFFICIALS IN THE DIRECTORATE.
THE AWARD WILL BE BACK-DATED TO APRIL 1 AND ARREARS WILL BE PAID AT THE END OF AUGUST.
THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, MR, SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID APPROVAL FOLLOWED A DETAILED REVIEW OF PAY MOVEMENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 1, 1979, CONDUCTED BY THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE THREE MAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
HE ADDED THAT THE REVISION WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OF ADJUSTING CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES IN LINE WITH THE EVIDENCE OF PAY MOVEMENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
DISCIPLINED SERVICES WILL RECEIVE COMPARABLE INCREASES.
INCREASES WILL BE APPLIED TO SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS IN LINE WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE INCREASES IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $350 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE NEW PAY SCALES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
GOVERNMENT URGED TO HELP MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP BUY OWN HOME
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MIDDLE-INCOME HONG KONG BELONGERS LIVING IN FLATS BUILT AFTER 1973 ARE PAYING RENTS OUT OF ALL PROPORTION TO THEIR INCOME, AND YET THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO BUY A MEDIUM SIZE FLAT AT ́ TODAY'S PRICES, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID AT AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE DESCRIBED THE WORSENING HOUSING PROBLEM FOR THIS GROUP OF RESIDENTS WHO EARN BETWEEN $5,000 AND $10,000 A MONTH AND ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ABOUT IT.
THOSE WHO RENT FLATS BUILT AFTER 1973 ARE SUBJECT TO UNLIMITED RENT INCREASES UPON RECEIVING THE PRESCRIBED NOTICE. +A NEW MEDIUM FLAT OF BETWEEN 1,000 1,700 SQUARE FEET IS CURRENTLY SELLING AT $800,000 TO $2 MILLION, HE EXPLAINED.
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HE HAD TWO SUGGESTIONS: EXTEND THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND REVIEW THE LIMITS AND ELIGIBILITY FOR LOAN APPLICATIONS TO THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY LTD. SO AS TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE THIN THIS INCOME BRACKET.
/HE.