TNAG-2200-FCO40-3155-Hong-Kong-recruitment-schemes-for-the-UK-Civil-Service-1990 — Page 36

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 028

OF 0213OOZ JANUARY 90

AND TO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG

165333

MDHOAN 0536

TOP CUI ? EST Ако 340/10

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 0 JUN 1990

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD

RECRUITMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERS IN HONG KONG

1. THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT WISH TO ADVERTISE IN HONG KONG TO ATTRACT CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS AS SHORT SERVICE CONTRACT RECRUITS TO HELP WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S ROADS PROGRAMME FOR THE

1990S. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SENSITIVITIES, BUT CLAIM THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE ALREADY RECRUITING CIVIL ENGINEERS IN HONG KONG ON A ROUTINE AND REGULAR BASIS. THEY HOPE TO RECRUIT

INITIALLY ABOUT 20 ENGINEERS.

MIFT CONTAINS THE DRAFT OF THE ADVERTISEMENT WHICH THEY PLAN

TO PUBLISH IN HONG KONG.

2.

3. THE DTP'S CURRENT PLAN, IN RECOGNITION OF THE LOCAL SENSITIVITIES IS TO SPECIFY THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD HOLD A FULL BRITISH PASSPORT. THEY ARGUE THAT THIS WOULD AVOID ACCUSATIONS

THAT THEY ARE AGGRAVATING EMIGRATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. WE

SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE ON THIS APPROACH. IS IT HELPFUL

OR MIGHT IT BE SEEN AS DISCRIMINATIVE AND PROVOCATIVE?

4.THE DTP HAVE ALSO ASKED WHETHER THE

BTC MIGHT ACT AS THEIR 'AGENT' TO PLACE THE ADVERTISEMENTS AND SEND OUT APPLICATION FORMS, IDEALLY DURING LATE JANUARY/EARLY FEBRUARY. THEY ALSO NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD A SUPPLY OF SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON THE JOB. WE PROPOSE TO STEER THEM OFF THIS IDEA. I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THE

DTP WERE TO PLACE THE ADVERTISEMENTS THEMSELVES DIRECT WITH THE APPROPRIATE TRADE/SPECIALIST PUBLICATIONS, AND INVITE APPLICATIONS DIRECT TO LONDON. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.

HURD

YYYY