XN000022-1980-10-14 — Page 2

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1980

GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF STAFF CONSULTATION

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THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT STAFF EXPECT TO BE CONSULTED ON THE IR WELFARE AND EMPLOYMENT, AND TO BE GIVEN A FAIR SHARE OF THE FRUITS OF THE IR LABOURS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER SAID TODAY.

+1 - + AM TEMPTED TO SAY NOW RECOGNISES THIS FOR IT WAS NOT ALWAYS THUS, AND THERE WERE AREAS OF NEGLECT AND, INDEED, UNHAPPILY THERE REMAIN TODAY AREAS WHERE THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT, HE SAID.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE HK INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT THIS MORNING, SIR JACK SAID THE DAYS WERE GONE WHEN A ONE-WAY DIRECTIVE FROM MANAGEMENT TO STAFF WOULD BE SUFFICIENT.

+GOOD, ENLIGHTENED MAN MANAGEMENT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, IN ITSELF: BUT EVEN IF THERE WERE DOUBTS ON THIS SCORE THE NEED FOR IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO, HE SAID.

THE CIVIL SERVICE NEARLY DOUBLED IN SIZE FROM AROUND 80 000 IN 1970 TO OVER 140 000 NOW, AND THERE WAS GROWING PRESSURE ON IT AS THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON MORE PROGRESSIVE AND COMPLEX SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRAMMES.

HIGHER EXPECTATION FROM THE PUBLIC COUPLED WITH THE IR CONTINUOUS DEMAND FOR BETTER QUALITY SERVICE HAVE ALSO PUT THE SERVICE UNDER GREAT STRAIN AND THERE HAVE BEEN, AND ARE, SIGNS OF OVER-STRETCH IN SOME AREAS, SIR JACK SAID,

IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ITS STAFF MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES; AND TO HELP ACHIEVE THIS, IT SEEKS ADVICE FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE SAID.

+THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS RELATING TO RECRUITMENT, PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL, PROMOTIONS AND DISCIPLINE.

+THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE KEEPS UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING RANK AND SALARY STRUCTURES, PAY POLICY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

+AND IMPORTANTLY, CIVIL SERVANTS THEMSELVES HAVE MOST VALUABLE ADVICE TO OFFER ON HOW PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT MAY BE IMPROVED.

+TO TAP THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND FEELING, EFFORTS ARE MADE TO STRENGTHEN STAFF CONSULTATION AT ALL LEVELS,+ SIR JACK SAID.

DEPARTMENTAL