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Unions of Hong Kong’s frontline civil servants unsatisfied with 4.51 per cent pay rise, want 5 per cent instead

The government considered factors such as economic outlook, other industries and the city’s coffers, but workers’ groups say public sector should not be pegged to private

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Civil servants say they should not be compared with the private sector when determining salary policies because of different job natures. Photo: Felix Wong

The workers’ unions of frontline Hong Kong civil servants have expressed disappointment with an expected pay rise of 4.51 per cent this year, despite it being more than the 2.84 per cent initially suggested by government advisers.

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On Tuesday, Li Kwai-yin, president of the 120,000-strong Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association, said it was unsatisfied with the increase stipulated by the Executive Council. The association demanded a 5 per cent raise instead.

Li’s comments came after the Civil Service Bureau announced a pay rise of 4.06 per cent for highest earners and 4.51 per cent for middle-ranking and frontline officers.

Hong Kong payroll study calls for lowest pay rise for frontline civil servants since 2010

The offers, subject to final approval by the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee, would be effective retrospectively from April 1 this year.

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The pay rise is based on results of a survey that tracked salary trends in the private sector over the past year. The government study had recommended increases of 2.84 per cent for frontline staff, 4.51 per cent for middle-ranking staff and 4.06 per cent for directorate grade and senior officers.

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