XN000022-1985-11-29 — Page 21

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1985

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GOVT STAFF, MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION IMPROVES

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COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STAFF AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE THROUGH THE WORK OF DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AND STAFF WELFARE AND STAFF RELATIONS UNITS, THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TONIGHT.

MR HAMMOND WAS SPEAK ING AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE 8TH TERM OFFICE BEARERS AND THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMEN OF THE TSUEN WAN AND RESETTLEMENT NEW AREA WELFARE DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF GENERAL ASSOCIATION.

+EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MANY ISSUES WERE HAPPILY RESOLVED THROUGH AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL SIDE AND THE STAFF SIDE. AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES WILL BECOME MORE AND MORE SIGNIFICANT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE,+ MR HAMMOND SAID.

HE RECALLED THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED 38 YEARS AGO WHEN THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS KNOWN AS THE SANITARY DEPARTMENT.

OVER THE YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN AND HAS UNDERGONE MANY CHANGES IN ITS ORGANISATION TO KEEP PACE WITH BOTH HONG KONG'S POPULATION GROWTH AND THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+THE OLD SANITARY DEPARTMENT NOW EXISTS IN THE FORM OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION COMPRISING THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND TWO EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, THE USD AND THE RSD, EACH OF WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE TO ITS OWN COUNCIL, MR HAMMOND SAID.

+ THE ROLE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO GROWN CONSIDERABLY FROM WHAT IT WAS 38 YEARS AGO. BUT THE ONLY THING WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED OVER THESE YEARS IS THE DEDICATION, EFFICIENCY AND LOYALTY OF ALL THE STAFF WHO MAKE UP THIS VAST ORGANISATION.+

HE SAID THEY WORK HARD AND LOYALLY AT ALL TIMES, VERY OFTEN IN A HAZARDOUS OR UNPLEASANT ENVIRONMENT, AND THIS DEVOTION TO DUTY WAS BEST EXEMPLIFIED AT LUNAR NEW YEAR.

+AT A TIME WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS ON HOLIDAY AND ENJOYING THE SEASON'S FESTIVITIES WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, OUR STAFF ARE WORKING VERY LONG HOURS TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AND THAT THE CITY, TOWNS AND COUNTRYSIDE REMAIN CLEAN, MR HAMMOND SAID.

+SUCH WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF THE STAFF CAN ONLY EXIST IF THERE IS MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN THEM AND MANAGEMENT.

MR HAMMOND EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION OF THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS IN FOSTERING AND MAINTAINING SUCH GOOD RELATIONS, AND IN ACTING AS ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL LINKS BETWEEN STAFF AND MANAGEMENT.

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