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The Administration announced today (May 18) the new starting salaries for recruits in the degree-qualification grades in the civil service.
"This follows the decision by the Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) to adjust the starting salaries for the degree-qualification grades in accordance with the recommendations of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service.
"In reaching its decision, the CE-in-Council has had regard to the views and comments of the concerned parties and wider community interests," a spokesman of the Civil Service Bureau said.
"In brief, the starting salaries for 36 basic ranks in the degree-qualification grades will be reduced by two pay points. After the reduction, the revised starting salaries for these ranks will be at or above $19,835. They will still be higher than the third quartile level of market pay for new recruits with the same educational qualifications, and will enable the Administration to attract quality recruits to join and remain in the civil service.
"Subject to the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, the new starting salaries will apply to new recruits who are offered appointment on or after October 1, 2010. The Administration will seek the necessary approval from the Finance Committee in the coming weeks.
"The starting salaries for all other grades, including those in the disciplined services, will remain unchanged," the spokesman said.
"The Government's civil service pay policy is to offer remuneration sufficient to attract, retain and motivate staff of a suitable calibre to provide the public with an effective and efficient service, and such remuneration is to be regarded as fair by both civil servants and by the public they serve by maintaining broad comparability between civil service and private sector pay. In connection with the latter, surveys on the starting salaries of new recruits in the private sector based on different qualification requirements are undertaken on a triennial basis," he added.
The standing commission's recommendations, contained in its Report on the 2009 Starting Salaries Survey, were submitted to the Chief Executive in March. The survey covered the 12-month period from April 2, 2008, to April 1, 2009. The report was released to the public forthwith. The Civil Service Bureau conducted a one-month consultation with the parties concerned, including departmental management and the staff sides.
Ends/Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:30
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