holding positions at the senior management/professional level and above were local officers. At the directorate level, the most senior ranks in the Civil Service, local officers represented about 60 per cent of a total of 1,262 officers. The Hong Kong Government are confident that the continued application of this policy will enable top posts in the Civil Service to be filled by local officers by 1997.
52. The police force should be predominantly staffed by local officers by the year 2000. At present overseas officers constitute about 62 per cent of the force at the rank of Superintendent and above while three-quarters of the Inspectorate are local officers. Steps are being taken to identify more local officers for promotion and to provide training to develop their potential.
53. In 1990, the overall turnover rate was about 5.5 per cent of the strength of the Civil Service, lower than in most major companies in the private sector. Resignation rates at the directorate and senior management/professional levels were below 2 per cent. Nonetheless, the ability of the private sector to offer better terms and conditions has made certain grades susceptible to higher wastage. Some grades have also lost staff through emigration. Measures to ensure the retention of adequate experience and expertise in these grades are under consideration.
54. In October, a new civil service housing package was introduced. The main objectives of the new package are to make more effective use of resources and to encourage home ownership among civil servants. Staff response towards the new package was very favourable, as indicated by the large number of applications (over 6,500) received during the first months after the introduction of the package.
55. There can be no doubt that concern about the future and the related issues of nationality and pensions, together with the additional demands being made on their services, have affected civil servants' morale. Civil servants have aired their grievances during the year but the standard of public service has remained high.
XII. Law and Order
56. During 1990, the total number of reported crimes increased by 8 per cent, with armed robberies and theft of vehicles causing the greatest local concern. The crime rate increased by over 7 per cent. The smuggling of electrical appliances, vehicles, etc into China also increased sharply. In response, new legislation was introduced to enhance enforcement action against smuggling, whilst co-operation was stepped up with the Chinese authorities to tackle the problem.
57. The fight against organised crime continues. Stricter penalties to combat illegal gambling and to deter the advertising of brothels were enacted. New legislation, to be published for public consultation during 1991, is being drafted to provide for heavy sentences for convicted members of crime syndicates.
58. Several major international drug trafficking syndicates were broken up during the year, and over HK$240 million were seized under the asset seizure legislation enacted in 1989. Record seizures of cannabis were also made.
59. Arrangements for mutual legal assistance in the investigation of drug trafficking and money laundering and the seizure of drug traffickers' assets were negotiated with three foreign jurisdictions and the United Kingdom. Hong Kong also joined the OECD Financial Action Task Force formed to combat money laundering.
60. At the same time that laws were toughened up to combat serious crime, steps were taken to abolish corporal punishment. As a result, all forms of corporal punishment were removed from the statute books during 1990.
61. Job and economic opportunities in Hong Kong continued to attract large numbers of illegal immigrants from China. In 1990 a total of 27,826 illegal immigrants were apprehended, compared with 15,841 in 1989. Of particular concern was the increase in the number of illegal immigrants found working on construction sites.
11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.