The Chief Executive in Council has today agreed in principle to the draft Public Officers Pay Adjustments (2004/2005) Bill for implementing the civil service pay reductions which are to take effect from 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2005 respectively.  We shall consult staff on the draft Bill and seek the approval of the Chief Executive in Council thereafter for introducing the Bill into the Legislative Council.  Our aim is to complete the staff consultation on the draft Bill by 28 April 2003 with a view to introducing the Bill into the Legislative Council sometime in May this year.

We have issued today a Brief for the Legislative Council enclosing the draft Bill.  If you are interested in knowing the details, please refer to the Civil Service Bureau homepage at http://www.csb.gov.hk.

I shall keep you informed of further developments on this matter.

 

Yours sincerely,

(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service