At School, At Work

Civil service pay benchmarks unchanged

(February 26, 2016)

The Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries & Conditions of Service has recommended that the existing civil service benchmarks of all the qualification groups remain unchanged.
 
In its report on the Civil Service Starting Salaries Survey submitted to the Chief Executive today, the commission also recommended a specific study be conducted for Qualification Group 8 (Degree and Related Grades).
 
The survey showed that except for Qualification Group 8, the differences in private sector pay and civil service benchmarks for all the groups were insignificant (ranging from +3.6 to -5.2 %) so the commission recommended no benchmark adjustment be made.
 
For Qualification Group 8, there was a relatively larger difference of -15.3% with the market pay level lower than the civil service benchmark. The commission noted some distinctive features and characteristics associated with the group which support adoption of a broader and longer-term perspective.
 
Compared with jobs requiring lesser qualifications, degree grade jobs generally have a longer career path for incumbents to rise to middle and senior management positions, the report noted.
 
The commission considers it appropriate to set Qualification Group 8's starting salaries at a level remaining reasonably attractive to recruit talent not only at entry but also to retain and motivate them further down the career path.
 
It also said the importance of a degree education, which facilitates the younger generation's upward social mobility, should be duly recognised.
 
Having balanced the relevant considerations, the commission recommended that a specific study be conducted for Qualification Group 8 to allow a thorough understanding of its distinctive features and characteristics.
 
The report is available here.