SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST MAY 25th 1:73
Civil service union leaders welcome McKinsey proposals
Three civil servant union leaders yesterday welcomed the McKinsey report and the Government's move to *streamline the public service and said it would ultimately benefit the community.
And the Chairman of the Urban Council, Mr A. de O. Sales, said changes in the "structure of the public Radministration were necessary in view of the rapid expansion a of the public service in post-war * years.
The Chairman of the European Civil Servants *Association, Mr M. Pagliari, "said he had a favourable initial impression of the McKinsey report.
He said: "May suggestions contained in the report, in my opinion, are very sound. They * seem sensible and rational and
will benefit the public service.
10Rk1|18
IN
"One point of particular interest to me is that top managerial posts should be opened to professional staff other than administrative staff.
are many
**There professionals in many fields other than administration, and they should not be barred from reaching the top,” he said.
Mr Pagliari said he expected that his association would be consulted by the Government in the course of implementation of the report's recommenda- tions.
The President of the Hongkong Chinese Civil Servants Association, Mr Tsin Sai-nin, said some departments. such as the Education and Medical and Health Departments, have to improve their staff relations before given more powers.
He said that the Government was aware of room for impovement in that direction.
He added that he was given the understanding that the Public Services Commission would retain its present roles in the proposed new administra- tion.
The Chairman of the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association, Mr Kenneth Mok. said: "Any method that will improve the efficiency of the public service is to be welcomed as it will ultimately benefit the community."
Mr Sales said the rapid expansion of the public service in the post-war years had meant the grafting of new departments and new sections on to an old system.
The system, he added, served its purposes and did good work, but conditions changed so that it was necessary to bring the Government structure in line with modern management technique.
"In this way," he said. “dividing Government activities into six broad fields means it will be covering all the main activities which will make for better living conditions in Hongkong.
"The new Secretaries will be able to frame policies and ensure their execution much more effectively by the departments under their control.
"In this way the Government will have a conscious policy for the good of the public."
"I would like to see а permanent review and examination of Government practices and procedures in most departments to make sure that they are doing good and efficient services to the public and to ensure that manpower, equipment and other resources are not wasted,” added Mr Sales.
Mr Sales said the time had also come to change the title of the Colonial, Secretary Chief Secretary,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.