Civil servants receive flat 2% salary rise

The government has proposed a flat 2% pay rise for all civil servants, starting retrospectively from April 1. The universal increment is lower than the demand by civil servant unions, which is at least 3%.

The government earlier proposed a three-band salary rise for civil servants, ranging from 1.17 to 4.12%. After discussion between the Chief Executive and the Executive Council, the final pay rise proposal is set at 2%.

Speaking to the media, Secretary for Civil Service Ingrid Yeung says authorities have considered six factors, including inflation and the government's fiscal position, before deciding on the uniform 2% pay rise. When asked about whether the Executive Council had included social sentiment as a considering factor when making the decision, Yeung says it's always a noted aspect for officials.

Ingrid Yeung, Secretary for the Civil Service, says "Not only public sentiment about individual incidents, but also public sentiment about public expectations; about how the government should manage its finances; about how the government should act, should make responsible decisions about our future."

Meanwhile, starting from October, a new appraisal system for civil servants will take effect. Under the system, underperformers will not receive a pay increment for six months. Another review will take place to determine whether an increment should be granted to the individuals by the end of the six-month period.

Asked if the six-month review period of the appraisal system would reduce the deterrent effect for underperformed civil servants, Yeung says it will not be the case, but the mechanism will help them improve more quickly.

Chief Executive John Lee says the new system is "sensible and practical."

John Lee, Chief Executive, says "This point system is one that will be granted only if the meritsdeserve it, and the Civil Service Bureau has introduced this new measure to ensure a clear reward and punishment system, and that will reward those who are working hard, who has a passion for his job and serves the public well."

The Civil Service Bureau says it will hold briefings for civil servants to explain the new system.