Under the first phase of the review, the Task Force has studied the experience of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom in modernizing their civil service pay system and will seek to identify best practices that are of particular relevance to Hong Kong.  The preliminary findings published today provide useful information on how other Governments have responded to changing circumstances and the outcome of their efforts.  Such information deserves careful study.  However, in considering the directions of the future developments of our own civil service pay policy and system, it is important that while making reference to overseas experience, we also have due regard to the history of development of our current system as well as our particular needs and requirements.

We have asked the three advisory bodies to submit to us the results of their first-phase analytical study by the middle of 2002.  Based on the findings of the study under phase one and taking account of the views of the concerned parties, the three advisory bodies will make recommendations to the Administration in the second half of 2002 on the scope of the second-phase review, the factors which may need to be taken into account in conducting this exercise, the methodology to be adopted and the timeframe for completing the review.  We shall, after considering the recommendations of the advisory bodies, decide on the best approach to take forward the second phase of the review exercise.

In announcing the decision to embark on a comprehensive review last year, we have made clear our objective which is : to identify ways to improve the civil service pay policy and system with a view to modernizing them; making the system simpler and easier to administer; and building in more flexibility to facilitate the matching of jobs, talents and pay.  I urge you to bear this objective in mind in future discussions during the review process.  We should also bear in mind the need to continue to offer an attractive and worthwhile career for people with a mission to serve the community while taking due account of the wider costs and benefits to the community.

I wish to reassure colleagues that the Administration will proceed with the review exercise in a prudent manner.  The publication of the first-phase interim report by the Task Force is a very early step in the review process.  There will be ample opportunities for thorough deliberations before the Administration takes a decision on how the current arrangements should be improved.  We shall take full account of the views of civil servants as well as the general public as we take forward the review.  At this stage, we have an absolutely open mind on what changes, if any, should be made to the present system.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of a stable and motivated civil service to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.  I assure you that we shall not introduce any freehanded changes to the civil service pay system in haste.

 

Yours sincerely,

(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service