TNAG-0991-FCO40-1210-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 134

GRS 270

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 190544Z JUN 80

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 782 OF 19 JUNE

АКК

43011

RECEIVED IN RES NO. 51 19 JUN 1980

INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVVT OFFICE;

INDEX

PA

INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY HEALTH INSPEEP

भ

19/6

REGISTRY

ction Taken

Awiall

see (43

ON 13 JUNE 1980, MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH INSPECTOR GRADE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STARTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE FORM OF A SIT-IN TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE CATEGORISATION OF THE GRADE BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALAREIS AND CONDITIONS

OF SERVICE.

2. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE HEALTH INSPECTORS HAVE RESORTED

TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO PRESS THEIR CLAIMS. IN NOVEMBER 1979 THE HEALTH INSPECTORS STAGED A GO-SLOW FOR A WEEK BUT CALLED OFF

THE ACTION WHEN THE STANDING COMMISSION PROMISED TO REVIEW THEIR CASE. SINCE THEN REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION HAVE ATTENDED BEFORE THE STANDING COMMISSION AND HAVE PUT FORWARD WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS WHICH ARE NOW BEING STUDIED BY THE COMMISSION. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOW DECIDED TO REVIVE INDUSTRIAL ACTION RATHER THAN TO WAIT FOR THE STANDING COMMISSION TO ANNOUNCE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT CONSIDERED THAT A SHOW OF FORCE MIGHT INFLUENCE THE STANDING COMMISSION'S FINAL DECISION.

3. ON 16 JUNE, OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH HELD A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION BUT WERE UNABLE TO PERSUADE THE ASSOCIATION TO CALL OFF ITS ACTION. WHILST EVERY ATTEMPT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO PERSUADE THE HEALTH INSPECTORS TO RETURN TO NORMAL WORK, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO TAKE SANCTION ACTION BY SUSPENDING THEM FROM DUTY WITHOUT PAY IF

SUCH ATTEMPTS FAIL.

4. SO FAR, THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION HAS HAD ONLY MINIMAL EFFECT ON PUBLIC SERVICES. THE AREA WORST HIT IS THE ABATTOIRS WHERE ANIMALS

SLAUGHTERED DAILY HAS BEEN REDUCED BY UP TO 30 PER CENT, BUT AS YET THIS HAS NOT LED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT. RISE IN FOOD PRICES.

5. 1 SHALL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF DEVELOPEMENT.

MACLEHOSE

FLES HK+3D OLA

Copies F

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE

CONFIDENTIAL

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