The 2007 Pay Trend Survey Report has found that over 144,000 employees in 91 companies have received pay rises ranging from 4.28% to 5.59% in the past year.

The report, compiled by the Pay Survey & Research Unit of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service & Judicial Salaries & Conditions of Service, reflects the pay trend in these companies from April 2 last year to April 1 this year.

Those earning less than $14,330 per month received a pay rise of 4.28%. Those with salaries between $14,330 and $43,940 per month saw a pay rise of 5.24%, while those earning $43,941 to $87,430 per month received a 5.59% rise.

The Civil Service Bureau said upon validation of the results by the Pay Trend Survey Committee, the Government will deduct from them the cost of increments paid to civil servants in 2006-07 to arrive at the "net pay trend indicators". After deducting the cost of increments, the net pay trend indicators for the lower, middle and upper civil servant bands will be 3.91%, 4.62% and 4.96%.

In accordance with the established mechanism, the Chief Executive-in-Council will decide the rates of adjustment (if any) to civil service pay for 2007-08, having regard to the net pay trend indicators and factors like the state of the economy, the Government's fiscal position, changes in the cost of living, staff pay claims and civil service morale.