Court bid to stop expat deal supported

THE largest local civil service association will not support a bid to introduce laws to make it harder for expatriates to change to local terms of service.

The president of the 10,000-strong Chinese Civil Servants' Association, Peter Wong Hyo, said yesterday the executive committee had instead agreed to back a court challenge to the Government's new policy.

The association would provide financial support for the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association legal action, Mr Wong said.

The associations will demonstrate at Kai Tak airport on Tuesday when the Governor, Chris Patten, returns from leave.

Mr Wong said members would support the legislative changes proposed by the Local Crown Counsel Association (LCCA) only if that sought to freeze the new policy.

He said members could not accept legislation that aimed to put in new employment requirements, because that would have a far-reaching effect on the civil service.

The LCCA wants strict residency and language requirements imposed on overseas civil servants wanting to change to local employment terms.

''Any change involving employment conditions must be discussed through the central consultative bodies and not made through legislation,'' Mr Wong said.

''The new policy announced by the Government is unacceptable but we insist the matter should be settled through the proper mechanism.'' The LCCA has met several political parties over the past two days to gauge their views on another proposal, which requires the new policy to be frozen without imposing further conditions.

The association is drafting legislation to be moved as a private member's bill.