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Terms of employment of universities teaching staff
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);
Question:
Can the Government inform this Council whether the University Grants Committee is aware of:
the difference between "local terms" and "expatriate terms" adopted by each of the universities in the appointment of teaching staff;
(a)
(b)
the respective numbers of teaching staff who are currently appointed on "expatriate terms" in the universities; and
(c)
the respective policies adopted by the universities in regard to the abolition of "expatriate terms" in the employment of teaching staff?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
The six universities and Lingnan College funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) enjoy autonomy in respect of the terms of employment for their staff, provided that they are comparable to and not better than those offered to staff of similar rank in the civil service. The UGC is aware of the differences between local and overseas terms adopted by the institutions. These differences are mainly in terms of the staff's eligibility for passage and baggage allowances, housing benefits and overseas education allowance.
The numbers of teaching staff employed by the seven UGC-funded institutions on overseas terms as at 31 December 1995 are shown in Annex A.