TNAG-0991-FCO40-1210-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 264

CONFIDENTIAL

IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM 1 APRIL 1979. REPLIES WERE SENT IN JANUARY AND MARCH 1980 THAT SINCE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE SUBVENTED ON A DISCRETIONARY BASIS, THERE IS NO FINANCIAL COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE SALARIES

OF STAFF IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AT ANY PARTICULAR LEVEL. FOLLOWING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW CONDUCTED IN 1977 AND 1978 THE STRUCTURE OF SWD WAS REVISED AND AS A RESULT THE SALARY SCALES OF CERTAIN GRADES WERE AFFECTED. SINCE THESE CHANGES WERE NOT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE COST OF LIVING, BUT WERE RELATED TO STRUCTURAL CHANGES WITHIN SWD, THEY COULD NOT APPLY AUTOMATICALLY TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AGREED ON 18 JANUARY THAT A REVIEW OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WOULD BE CARRIED CUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES ADOPTED IN THE SWD REVIEW. A STEERING COMMITTEE AND A WORKING GROUP WERE ESTABLISHED ON 1 FEBRUARY, WITH REPRESENTATIVES LARGELY NOMINATED OR ELECTED BY THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR THEMSELVES. (D): THE SIZE OF THE REVIEW MACHINERY MUST BE KEPT REASONABLY

SMALL IF IT IS TO CARRY OUT THE TASK SMOOTHLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL ORGANISATION CONCERNED (THERE ARE MANY) TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE, BUT THE UNION HAS BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS FREE TO MAKE REPRESENT- ATIONS TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE OR THE WORKING GROUP.

5. FOR AVOIDANCE OF ALL DOUBT, THERE ARE AT PRESENT NO REPEAT NO DISPUTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND IT'S SOCIAL WELFARE STAFF.

6. FULL REPORT BEING SENT BY BAG.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HKNGD

OLA

MR CORTAZZI

MR MURRAY

ス

CONFIDENTIAL