The Government announced today that the Chief Executive-in-Council has decided to accept in full the recommendations in the Report on the Grade Structure Review for the Disciplined Services Grades.

The recommendations were made by the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries & Conditions of Service (SCDS) and the Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries & Conditions of Service (SDCS).

The Chief Executive-in-Council also decided that, subject to the Legislative Council Finance Committee’s approval, the recommendations on salary and increment in the report as well as the normal conversion arrangement for serving staff in the affected ranks should be implemented from the first day of the month of approval by the committee.

The Civil Service Bureau noted that the Chief Executive-in-Council considered a number of factors in its decision, including the credibility of the SCDS and SDCS as independent advisory bodies as well as the justifications of the recommendations.

The views of the departmental managements and staff sides, the staff morale of the disciplined services, the financial implications for the Government and the community's views were also considered. The Government will seek the Legislative Council's approval as soon as possible.

The Government sincerely thanked the SCDS for its in-depth analysis and thorough consultation with stakeholders in the course of the Grade Structure Review and the pragmatic recommendations it has come up with.

It is also grateful for the SDCS' advice on the pay and conditions of service of the disciplined services departments/agencies heads, and all the stakeholders for their valuable input.

The SCDS had earlier submitted the report on the disciplined services grade structure review to the Chief Executive. The review recommendations cover pay, allowances, grade structure, manpower support and conditions of service of the disciplined services.

The bureau has consulted stakeholders including the departmental managements of the disciplined services and the staff sides of the relevant grades on the report's findings and recommendations and sought the Chief Executive-in-Council’s decision on the way forward.