TNAG-0917-FCO40-1128-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-K-1979 — Page 8

CONFIDENTIAL

4

14.

A joint Working Party made up of representatives from both management and the Association was then set up to take another look at the issue. The Working Party has now drafted its report which is being discussed in Committee. Arising from disagreement over some wording in the report, the Association staged a one-day "sit-in" on 30th November 1979. The Association and management have now resumed discussions over the report and the Association has postponed submitting a representation to the Standing Commission pending the outcome of further discussions with management.

15.

Apart from the groups referred to above taking industrial action of one kind or another, the Civil Service is working normally and there is no cause for concern. shall however keep you informed of further development.

I

Yours sincerely,

sofiche

th

(James Y.C. so)'

for Secretary for the Civil Service

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Quantrill Mr Clift

Da

Reference...

HKK 430li

ZIVKO IN REGISTRY NO. 5 17 DEC1979

DESK OFFIC

INDEX

Action 1.5

Ло

do 1812.

12.12

Now

啡

40 - A

47_B

C

A

PUBLIC OFFICERS (INDUSTRIAL ACTION) BILL 1979

1. Please see Sir Jack Cater's letter of 29 November to Mr Murray.

2.

The background to this is that a Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, Chaired by Sir Y K Kan, was set up in Hong Kong at the beginning of the year. Its second report, published in October dealt with salary scales and relativities in the Civil Service. The Government dispensers were dissatisfied with the Commission's recommendation in respect of their grade and in November started to refuse to work in the evenings and on Sundays and Public Holidays.

3. There are provisions in Hong Kong's Civil Service Regulations

SR) for the Government to reduce the pay of Civil Servants who refuse to carry out their normal duties. CSRS do not, however, have the force of law and previous action against another group of Civil Servants under theje provisions had been successfully challenged in the courts. It was therefore decided at very short notice to seek the advice of the Executive Council as to whether legislation should be introduced to remove any doubt about the legality of the CSRs relating to industrial action.

4. We were advised of the proposal by telegram and were not very happy with them, hence the phone calls mentioned in Sir Jack's letter. Our reservations are detailed in Mr Murray's letter of 21 November.

5. I do not think we need take any further action on Sir Jack's letter of 29 November.

CODE

18-77

13 December 1979

kr

Iviliamm

таши

P J Williamson

Hong Kong and General Department

Auto W. E. Chantill

Mr. Willingham & 10.12.

Thank

14/12

But we shall

you. lague. But we

watch for another

shall have to

80 by HK on this (penultimate)

D 24/12

para / Sir J Cater's letter

2

I age