TNAG-0992-FCO40-1211-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 10

the likely cost of implementing the recommendations on benefits for married female staff, since this is not easy to quantify. However, the Commission's recommendations are likely to cost about $40 million in a full year, whereas the modified proposals in paragraph 28 are likely to cost about half that sum.

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The likely additional expenditure in 1980-81, taking into account the effect of backdating some recommendations to 1st October 1979, but excluding the cost of providing benefits for married female staff, is $150 million.

Separate recommendations on Technical and Survey Officer Grades

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In the letter dated 7th October, the Commission submits further advice on the Technical and Survey Officer Grades. The conclusion is that the Report of a Joint Management/Staff Association Working Party on a claim for better remuneration by the Association of Government Technical and Survey Officers does not justify any change in the existing pay scales and structure. The letter also makes some useful general comments about requests for more pay based on changes or additions to duty lists, including the point that it is quality rather than quantity that establishes the appropriate pay for any job.

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The Commission's advice is supported. The Association does not really expect a pay rise to result from the Working Party's findings and have been concentrating in recent months on obtaining promotion posts agreed with management. However, the staff believe in applying pressure and will no doubt be vocal in their disappointment. It is much more doubtful whether they will launch any sustained industrial action, as opposed to a token strike,

B

୯

Consultation

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As explained in paragraph 2, copies of the Report have not at this stage been made publicly available, but the three main Staff Associa - tions have been given the opportunity to comment on the parts of the Report which were provided to them in confidence under the terms of the 1968 Agreement. A summary of their comments is at Annex B. In addition, the Commissioner of Police has been authorised to give Police Associations an opportunity to comment on the same parts of the Report, in confidence. A summary of their comments is at Annex C.

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL