TNAG-2669-FCO40-3866-Hong-Kong-Civil-Service-1993 — Page 35

Civil Service Branch

Civil Service Consultation Document Civil Service Terms of Appointment & Conditions of Service

should not be able to derive the benefits of a pensionable service for the same period even if a refund of contract gratuity is made subsequently. Hence, it is proposed that officers given further employment on new P&P terms would not be able to buy back their previous agreement service, but they would not be subject to the age or minimum years of service before retirement criteria as set out in the Civil Service Regulations. The previous service of such officers would however be counted as qualifying service for the purpose of pension eligibility, housing benefits and determining leave earning rates and leave accumulation limits.

Agreement

4.5

Serving OAT and LAT officers will not be offered another agreement on the existing terms but they will be considered for further appointment on new agreement terms if -

(a) there is a service need to retain their special expertise for the duration of

the contract;

(b) their conduct and performance are satisfactory;

(c) they are physically fit;

(d) in the case of an officer who does not qualify as a local, no other local

person is available to replace him; and

(e) any other requirements stipulated for the rank and grade concerned.

Since the appointment is for a fixed period of time, Chinese language proficiency will not be mandatory across the board. However, it is expected that Heads of Department and Heads of Grade would introduce job-related language requirements where it is necessary for the day-to-day conduct of work. Renewal of agreement on new terms will not be automatic, it will depend on a number of factors such as those listed above governing the transfer to new agreement terms.

Chinese Language Training

4.6

Chinese language training courses would not be provided for officers transferred to new terms. They should make their own arrangements at their expense and