CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Established
in 1979, the main function of the Standing Commission on Civil
Service Salaries and Conditions of Service is to advise and make
recommendations to the Chief Executive on the principles and
practices governing pay, conditions of service and salary
structure of non-directorate civil servants, other than judicial
officers and disciplined services staff.
1.2In
discharging its functions, the Commission provides independent
advice to the Chief Executive, after taking into full account
relevant factors and views expressed by the parties concerned.
The decision as to whether the Commission's advice should be
accepted rests with Government. The Commission's terms of
reference and membership list are at Appendices A and B
respectively.
1.3This
is our seventeenth progress report and it gives an account of our
work in 1997. Chapter 2 contains the gist of our views and
recommendations on proposals submitted by the Administration
during the year. These proposals include (a) lowering of salary
bar for the Assistant Education Officer rank; (b) upgrading of
entry requirement of the X-ray Assistant grade; (c) review of
school passage arrangements; (d) review of leave passage
arrangements; (e) development of a multi-skilled general support
service; (f) review of the Technical Inspectorate grades; and (g)
review of civil service fringe benefits. It also provides a brief
account of our informal meetings with major civil service staff
associations. Chapter 3 covers the work of the Pay Trend Survey
Committee. Our forecast of major activities for 1998 is set out
in Chapter 4. In all, we held a total of five formal meetings as
well as seven informal meetings during the year.
1.4To
the Secretary for the Civil Service and his staff, we would like
to extend our appreciation for their assistance and co-operation.
Our appreciation also goes to Ms Elaine Chung, Secretary
General until her transfer on 11th February 1997. To Mr Angus
Miu, acting Secretary General, and to the staff of the
Commission Secretariat (list at Appendix C), we would like to
thank them for their efficient and unfailing support.