TNAG-2422-FCO40-3524-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1992 — Page 162

27-APR-1992

10:11

C.S.B. (2) 8685069

+852 524 6164

INFORMATION NOTE :

LOCALISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

Key Points

1.

All civil servants in Hong Kong, whether local or overseas, pensionable or contract, are employed by HKG and not HMG; decisions on their terms of service, promotion and prospects are matters for HKG and not HMG.

2.

HKG's policy of localisation was given legislative effect with the enactment of the Public Service Commission Ordinance in 1950, inter alia "to ensure that the claims of local candidates receive full consideration". Since that time, preference has been given to suitably qualified local candidates at the recruitment stage.

3.

norrent sno

of

officere

The policy has been broadly successful; the in the civil service 20 2 whole has shrunk from about 4.4% in 1952 to 1.2% in 1991; local officers now form about 63% of the directorate and fill half of the heaû ví department anû policy secretary pusis.

4.

Nonetheless, HKG still looks overseas for qualified professionals where insufficient local candidates are available, eg. architects and lawyers.

5.

Localisation is

taking place in accordance with the rate at which qualified and suitable local candidates become available. Localisation has been and will continue to be a gradual process, during which the quality of HK's administration is safeguarded.

6.

The Joint Declaration provides that overseas officers may continue to serve in the Government after 1997 in all posts except as heads of branches or departments at Secretary level and as deputy heads of some of such branchés or departments.

Law has similar provisions in Article 101.

The

Basic