XN000022-1993-08-13 — Page 2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1993

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GOVT STAFF KEEP IN TOUCH ON LOCALISATION

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THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION ARE WILLING TO MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE WITH EACH OTHER ON THE LOCALISATION POLICY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

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SPEAKING то REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, WHICH SHE DESCRIBED AS "A GOOD MEETING, MRS CHAN SAID:

TO

"I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRESS THAT THE MANAGEMENT HOPES MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE WITH THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS ON THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING OUR POLICY OF ALLOWING OVERSEAS AGREEMENT OFFICERS TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS.

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"I WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION THAT THEY, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE WITH THE MANAGEMENT, SHE SAID.

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MRS CHAN SAID SHE HAD ALREADY MET REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND SHE REMAINED HAPPY TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.

NEXT

IN ADDITION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL, IN THE FEW DAYS, BE SEEING THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATIONS ΤΟ DISCUSS WITH THEM THEIR SPECIFIC CONCERNS AND TO SEE IN WHAT WAYS STAFF CONCERNS CAN BE MET.

SHE STRESSED THAT IN THE BULK OF THE 70-ODD GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM POSED BY THE CHANGE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED.

"WE

HAVE IDENTIFIED 10 DEPARTMENTS WHERE, ON THE FACE OF IT, THERE MAY BE SPECIFIC STAFF CONCERNS, MRS CHAN SAID.

THESE DEPARTMENT ARE THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, BUILDINGS, LANDS,

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CIVIL ENGINEERING, HOUSING, LEGAL, LEGAL AID, TRANSPORT, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENTS.

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"WE WILL BE MEETING WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO TRY TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC CONCERNS IN SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS, SHR SAID.

COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT THE SENIOR NON-EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (SNEOA) PLANS TO SUE THE GOVERNMENT, MRS CHAN SAID SHE REGRETTED THE SNEOA HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO TAKE THE GOVERNMENT TO COURT.

"I HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THEY WILL NOT ACT IN THE HEAT OF MOMENT, THAT THEY WILL TRY TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC CONCERNS SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE WITH US, SAID.

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THE

IN

SHE

THE SECRETARY REITERATED THAT TRANSFER OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS TO LOCAL TERMS IS NOT AUTOMATIC,

/"AN ELIGIBLE

AGREEMENT