The Chief Executive-in-Council has decided to accept in full recommendations made by the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries & Conditions of Service on the grade structure review for laboratory staff, the Government announced today.

Laboratory staff include those who have reached the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department's Veterinary Laboratory Technician grade and the Department of Health's Medical Laboratory Technician grade.

The Chief Executive-in-Council also accepted the related conversion arrangements proposed by the Government.

The Government will seek the Legislative Council's approval for the recommendations later.

Pay-related recommendations will be implemented with effect from the first day of the month immediately following the month of approval by LegCo or June 1 next year.

In reaching this decision, the Chief Executive-in-Council has considered a number of factors including the commission's review findings and recommendations, the views of management of the two departments and the staff side of the two grades as well as the wider community interests.

The Chief Executive-in-Council considers the commission's recommendations to be reasonable and well justified for tackling recruitment difficulties and retention problems faced by both staff grades.

The Government thanked the commission for its in-depth analysis and thorough consultation with stakeholders in the course of conducting the grade structure review.

It is also grateful to all stakeholders for their valuable input.