TNAG-0991-FCO40-1210-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 276

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5. Our Union has written twice to the SWD requesting for a dialogue and has also announced publicly our intention of being represented on the Steering Committee, to be set up by the SWD for conducting a similar review for the voluntary sector, advoca- ting the interests and demands of our members. Yet we are offended by the refusal of the Department to meet our representatives and be represented on the said Committee. The rights of our Union are not being respected by the Department and we strongly protest against the Department in ignoring our rights and interests.

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7.

To remedy the situation, we have the following demands:

a. The salary adjustment for SWD staff before putting the

Welfare Class Review into effect be immediately extended to all grades of social workers employed by the voluntary agencies and be retroactive to April 1, 1979,

b. All provisions of the Welfare Class Review including salary

revision, career advancement, recognised in-service training opportunities, etc. be implemented in the voluntary sector as soon as possible,

c. The rights of the Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union he respected by the Government and in particular by the Social Welfare Department, and the Union be represented on the Steering Committee.

To you then we lodge cur appeal. Your personal judgement and upright decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on reviving the spirit of partnership between the government and voluntary sector and on the future of social welfare in Hong Kong.

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We sincerely urge your expedient attention to this important issue and look forward to hearing from you.

C.C.

Yours sincerely,

Lan Kuslije

LAU Kwok-yu.

Chairman

Organizing Committee

HK Social Workers' General Union

Chief Secretary

Secretary for Social Services

Director of Social Welfare

Members of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee

Director of Medical & Health

Chairman & Director of the HK Council of Social Service

President of the HK Social Workers' Association

Members of the UMELCO

Members of the SWD Steering Committee and Working Group on WCR

Mr. Christopher Patten, MP

Mr. Ted Rowlands, MP

Mr. Ian Wriggleworth, MP

Mr. Harry Cowans, MF

Mr. Bob Parry, MP

Mr. Dennis Canavan, MP