XN000022-1996-06-04 — Page 8

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Civil servants offered 7.67% to 7.68% pay rise

On the advice of the Governor-in-Council and subject to the approval of the Finance Committee, the administration has decided on a pay adjustment offer of 7.68 per cent for the directorate and the upper salary band of the civil service (i.e. monthly salary at $38,211 and above) and 7.67 per cent for the middle and lower bands (i.e. monthly salary at $38,210 and below), with effect from April 1.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr W K Lam, made the offer today (Tuesday) to the staff sides of the civil service central consultative councils.

"The offer for the upper and middle bands is in line with the net pay trend indicators which reflect the average salary increases for private sector employees. The offer for the lower band is brought up to the same level as the middle band in line with the established practice," Mr Lam said.

In advising on the size of the offer, the Governor-in- Council took into account the findings of the pay trend survey, the staff sides' pay claims, the state of the economy, the budgetary position of the Government and the views of the community at large.

Despite some suggestions that the pay adjustment should be brought up to inflation this year, the Government considers there are no overriding reasons for doing

So.

"The pay adjustment offer is the result of a careful balance between the Government's responsibility to civil servants as a good employer and its wider responsibility to the community," Mr Lam said.

The Government will make a final decision on the pay adjustment later this month following consultation with the central staff consultative councils.

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