Open letter from the Joint Committee of Disciplined
Services Staff Associations/Unions

0 Photo

The Joint Committee of Disciplined Services Staff Associations/Unions issued an open letter on January 15 to members of the disciplined services to express its stance on the review of civil service salary policy and system currently being carried out by the Civil Service Bureau.

"We have both the sincerity and determination to participate actively and positively in this exercise," the letter said.

"We wish to assist the Government to adhere firmly to the principles of 'fair, reasonable and lawful' and 'open, just and fair' in the course of the review and seek improvement in a stable atmosphere so as to ensure the stability of the disciplined services grades," it added.

The Committee also disclosed that members would be organising seminars to discuss the issue, and pay a visit to Singapore to study the city's civil service and salary structure.

The letter urged members to avoid being emotional and that they should carry out their duties diligently, maintain their morale and continue to serve the public to the best of their ability.

The Joint Committee, consisting of 23 staff associations/unions of the disciplined services, covers members of the six disciplined services, including the Police Force (JPOA & LIA), Fire Services, Custom and Excise, Immigration, Correctional Services and the Government Flying Services.

The issue of the open letter was followed by an announcement by the Financial Secretary Antony Leung in his budget speech at the Legislative Council last week proposing to cut the salary of civil servants by 4.75 per cent.

Commenting on the proposal, DCP Management Lee Ming-kwai, said that the FS had made it clear that the Government would, in accordance with existing mechanism on civil service pay adjustment, consider all factors, including the outcome of this year's private sector pay trend survey and the Government's financial situation before making a final decision on the pay cut.

"As it is just a proposal, we need to obtain more concrete information before consulting colleagues in the Force," Mr Lee said.