TNAG-0916-FCO40-1127-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-K-1979 — Page 272

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perman all The increasing frequency of disputes within the Hong Kong Public Service last year led the Hong Kong Government to conclude that improved machinery was needed to deal with matters affecting the pay and conditions of service of Civil Servants. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Rowlands, announced in the Legislative Council on 16 November that the Government intended to establish a Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service.

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2. Unlike previous Salaries Commissions, which have been appointed to carry out a single review, the new body will be a permanent institution. After carrying out an initial review of salaries and conditions of service throughout the Civil Service (which Mr Rowlands believes should take about four to six months), it will advise on problems arising from the implementation of its recommendations, and any other disputes that may come up. The members of the Commission are to be appointed, on a part-time basis, for two years at a time and the intention is that they should be as broadly representative as possible of the Hong Kong community. Only members of the Civil Service itself are not eligible for selection.

3. After consultations with all the 103 Civil Service Staff Associations, the terms of reference for the new Commission were drawn up and approved by the Executive Council on 9 January. Governor has appointed Sir Y K Kan, Senior Unofficial Member of the Executive Council, to be Chairman of the Commission, and

The

Mr Peter Williams (who retired last year from the post of Hong Kong Commissioner of Labour) to be Secretary-General. The Commission

has started work and all current disputes are now being referred to it.

4.

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I attach copies of the Commission's full terms of reference and short background notes on the members of the Commission. Overseas Labour Adviser has pointed out that the list does not include anyone with a Trade Union background (though Father McGovern is well known for his past concern for workers' interests, and partly makes up for the lack). The Staff Associations were however consulted over the composition of the Commission, and endorsed the appointments made. The Chairman is also empowered to appoint non-members of the Commission to the Commission's sub- committees.

5. Public Reaction in Hong Kong to the Commission has been generally favourable, although one of the three most important Civil Service Unions, the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association, has complained that insufficient account has been taken of the views it put forward during the initial consultations.

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