XN000022-1986-03-13 — Page 6

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986

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CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY

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CIVIL SERVANTS WERE URGED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO ANALYSE THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL PAY AWARD COOLLY AND OBJECTIVELY AND TO ACT RESPONSIBLY WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MIND TO AVOID DISRUPTION OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.

THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR DOMINIC WONG, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ON THE PAY POLICY AND PAY ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE,

+1 SINCERELY HOPE THAT GOOD SENSE WILL PREVAIL,

HE SAID.

MR WONG REITERATED THAT THE OFFER OF 2.7 PER CENT SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT BACKDATED TO JANUARY 1, WAS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE PAY LEVEL SURVEY FOR NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF.

IN REACHING THIS DECISION, MR WONG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TWICE RESPONDED TO STAFF REPRESENTATIONS AND MADE SUPSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE FINDINGS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.

+ THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THIS OFFER TO BE FAIR AND REASONABLE,+ MR WONG SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS EIGHT TIMES BETTER THAN THE STANDING COMMISSION'S FINDINGS FOR THE MAJORITY OF STAFF AND THEREFORE NOT AN UNGENEROUS OFFER.

+ IT WAS A GENUINE EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON THIS ISSUE, HE SAID.

+THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF STAFF REACTIONS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS A WHOLE.

+ANY FURTHER INCREASED OFFER NOT SUPPORTED BY NEW FACTS WOULD BE A MAJOR AND UNACCEPTABLE DEPARTURE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION'S FINDINGS AND COULD JEOPARDISE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENTS SYSTEM WHICH HAVE SERVED STAFF AND MANAGEMENT WELL OVER THE YEARS,+ MR WONG ADDED.

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