I am writing to update colleagues on the progress of the 2002 civil service pay adjustment exercise.
We introduced the Public Officers Pay Adjustment Bill, which seeks to implement this year's pay reduction, into the Legislative Council on 5 June 2002. A Bills Committee has been formed to scrutinise the Bill. It is our intention to seek the enactment of the said legislation within the current Legislative session so that the pay reduction could be implemented on 1 October 2002.
In my previous letters to colleagues, I have explained why the legislative approach is necessary. In brief, this is because the contracts of the great majority of serving civil servants do not contain an express provision for the Government to reduce pay. In order that we can implement with certainty a justified decision made on the basis of the established pay adjustment mechanism, we need to resort to legislation. In response to comments made in various quarters during the past few weeks on this subject, I have set out the Administration's views in an article published in a number of newspapers today. A copy of the article is attached for your perusal.
It is my sincere hope that colleagues will consider this year's pay adjustment in a rational and objective manner. I am confident that all of you will remain firmly committed to your duties and responsibilities, and will continue to serve with dedication and professionalism.
Yours sincerely,
(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service
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