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Jimmy Cheung

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong Wing-ping says legislation for a pay cut will be needed to avoid protracted lawsuits with civil service staff unions.

But Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong leader Tsang Yok-sing said yesterday he doubted if legislation could stop staff from taking the Government to court.

At least one civil service group, the Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, has vowed to sue the Government if a pay cut is imposed.

Reminding his colleagues yesterday to be prepared for a possible cut, Mr Wong said legislation was necessary to ensure such a move could be implemented.

'We cannot have a decision which is not clear, or one which will result in long-running lawsuits,' he said.

'If legislation is the only way to enable us to implement the decision under the mechanism, definitely we have to consider doing in that way.'

Mr Wong was speaking after Mr Tsang warned that legislation could not prevent the unionists from taking the Government to court.

On RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, Mr Tsang said there was still a query over whether it was the Government's contractual obligation not to reduce pay under Article 160 of the Basic Law.

'If the civil service do have a contractual right not to have their salaries reduced at any time and by any amount, this right is protected by Article 160, and cannot be taken away by passing a law. Only the court can decide, once and for all, whether such a right exists or not,' he said.

The Executive Council is understood to be split on the adjustment following a meeting on Friday. The pay trend survey showed the top, middle and lower ranks should have their salaries cut by 4.42, 1.64 and 1.58 per cent respectively. Any reduction will be effective from October.

Mr Wong said the Government has yet to make a decision, but said civil servants should be prepared for a cut. He hoped the unions would not resort to a legal battle.



Civil service chief seeks pay legislation