TNAG-0103-FCO40-139-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-Lord-Shepherd-1967 — Page 128

CONFIDENTIAL

10.

A number of the Commission's recommendations are still the subject

of study and discussion in Hong Kong.

Staff Relations

11.

Apart from sone departmental associations, there are three service-

wide associations which are recognised by the Hong Kong Government. They

are the Chinese Civil Service Association, the Senior Non-Expatriate

Officers' Association and the Association of European Civil Servants.

12.

Agreement was reached last year with the 3 Staff Associations for

the institution of consultative machinery relating to the conditions of

service of public officers, This includes provision for the setting up of

a Senior Civil Service Council and the reference of certain matters to an

independent Committee of Inquiry.

13. The step from informal consultation to formal negotiation on staff

natters has been taken very slowly because:-

14.

(a) Staff associations lack experience, are numerous and

their representative status is often in doubt; some

associations representing lower grades are Communist

dominated.

(b) The pressure for formal machinery has come from the

Association of European Civil Servants and the Chinese

Officers' Associations have been much less enthusiastic

if not indifferent.

(c) The Goverment has felt it necessary, in the constitutional

circumstances of Hong Kong, to resist the ultimate

process of arbitration.

The Association of European Civil Servants have submitted a

petition to the Secretary of State wherein they:-

(a) Seek a reaffirmation of his interest in the Overseas

Civil Service and advice on the progress of a review of the

Overseas Civil Service that Mr. Lee undertook to make.

CONFIDENTIAL

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