less than 35%, compared to about 55% a decade ago. The process by which officers on overseas contract terms may transfer to local terms, is by no means automatic. Those concerned will have to demonstrate their commitment to Hong Kong by acquiring permanent residence status and be prepared to give up "perks", such as better leave and passage arrangements. The Hong Kong Government is offering only one contract to any successful individual and a very small number of officers are involved. Hence the practical significance should not be exaggerated.
The reason the Hong Kong Government did not engage in any formal consultations before making this change, is because it would have necessitated a moratorium on the localisation policy, if a court case was to be avoided. A moratorium would have been extremely damaging and would have led to uncertainty. The practical effect on local officers' promotion prospects would have been far worse. The Hong Kong Government were not prepared to accept this. Also, the issue had been in the public domain for some months and had been discussed on more than one occasion in the Legislative Council Public Service Panel. The positions of the respective parties were well known and the Hong Kong Government was able to take an informed decision.
You raised in your letter the importance of making arrangements to realise the policy of "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong". You also suggested that there should be one set of employment terms. On the first point, I understand that the Hong Kong Government is currently working on detailed plans for localisation of the posts set out in Article 101 of the Basic Law. As regards your suggestion of one set of employment terms, the Hong Kong Government is considering this proposal, in the context of possible longer term changes to the terms and conditions of service for new appointments. The Hong Kong Government intends to discuss this and any other longer term policy proposals with the staff associations and other interested parties. consultation document will be published shortly and the Hong Kong Government will no doubt be interested to hear your views.
A
مست
Your Every.
نسبة تسلال تسلامه
ALASTAIR GOODLAD
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