AN expatriate senior engineer who has worked for the Government for 18 years will have to accept demotion if he accepts an offer to switch to local terms.
The Civil Service Branch informed Anthony Pitt-Jones of the Housing Department of the offer verbally about three weeks ago.
Mr Pitt-Jones, whose expatriate contract expired last September, was the subject of a test case when civil service unions threatened to sue the Government over alleged discrimination in its localisation policy.
Under the threat of court action, the Government said in July that it would allow expatriates to apply for a switch to local terms.
Mr Pitt-Jones submitted his application, and pending a reply, his contract was renewed twice on a short-term basis to March 6.
The new policy requires expatriates on contract to demonstrate commitment to the territory by applying to become a British Dependent Territory Citizen (BDTC). Other criteria include service need, performance and physical condition.
Mr Pitt-Jones, 49, from Britain, has obtained BDTC status and has said he and his family regard Hong Kong as their home.