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The Government announced today (March 13) an improved methodology for the conduct of the annual pay trend survey (PTS), and the immediate conducting of a PTS based on the improved methodology for the period from April 2, 2006 to April 1, 2007.
The Government has been developing, in close consultation with the staff sides, an improved civil service pay adjustment mechanism, which, among other things, consists of the conduct of a PTS each year under an improved methodology.
"We have developed an improved methodology for the PTS which will enhance the credibility of the survey findings. The improved methodology is supported by the staff sides and the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service," the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, said.
The improved PTS methodology encompasses the broadening of the survey field to include both large companies (employing 100 or more staff) and smaller companies (employing 50-99 staff), and the modification to the data consolidation method to complement the broadening of the survey field. As a general guideline, large and smaller companies would make up for 75% and 25% of the survey field respectively. In addition, regard would also be given to selecting companies in the major sectors of our economy.
Separately, the Government, with the help of a consultant, has also recently completed a pay level survey (PLS) with April 1, 2006, as the reference date.
"The regular and periodic conduct of PLS to ascertain whether civil service pay is broadly comparable with private sector pay is another important component of our improved civil service pay adjustment mechanism. We are now in active discussions with the staff sides on how the findings of the just completed 2006 PLS should be applied to the civil service, bearing in mind the inherent differences between the civil service and the private sector. We will shortly consult the three advisory bodies on civil service pay and conditions of service, before seeking the advice of the Executive Council and the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council as necessary," Miss Yue said.
The decision to be made on how civil service pay should be adjusted in light of the PLS findings and other relevant considerations will take effect from April 1, 2006, which is the reference date of the PLS. Whatever the decision, the salary of serving civil servants will not be reduced to below the level prevailing on June 30, 1997. The civil service pay on April 1, 2006, as and when decided, will serve as the basis for any pay adjustment in 2007-08.
In line with existing policy, any pay adjustment in 2007-08 will be decided in the light of the outcome of the PTS to be conducted shortly under the improved methodology and other relevant considerations such as the state of the economy, the Government's fiscal position, changes in the cost of living, pay claims of the staff sides and civil service morale. And any adjustment will be submitted to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for consideration and approval.
Miss Yue today wrote to all civil servants informing them of the improvements to the PTS methodology and the conduct of the 2007 PTS based on the improved methodology.
Ends/Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:53
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