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Following is the transcript of a media session given by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Michael Suen this (July 8) afternoon (English portion):
Acting Chief Secretary for Administration: Yesterday, many civil servants expressed their views on the pay adjustment proposals in a peaceful and orderly manner. Today, they are back at their work. It is very clear to all that the crux of the matter is not so much that the civil service is not prepared to accept pay cuts, but that they hold different views as to how to achieve it. The Government is well aware of the concern of the civil service on this matter and has already given assurances that civil service pensions will not be affected in any way. Various opinion polls have been conducted overnight and those for and against the pay cut legislation are evenly divided. I hope that the Legislative Council will pass the necessary legislation on Wednesday. We need the whole-hearted support of the civil service in the implementation of Government policies, and so we will continue our dialogue with the civil service and to rebuild our relationship so as to ensure that we will continue to provide the best service to the public.
Reporter: If you have a divided civil service, if you have a poll showing fifty-fifty, and you got a LegCo which looks pretty close to fifty-fifty, will the Government still push ahead of this the wisest course of action?
Acting Chief Secretary for Administration:: I am afraid that we have already taken our decision and we have explained to all the necessity of this piece of legislation, that is to provide stability to the whole system. I think it is too late now to go back to other options.
Reporter: How do you feel is this the way to begin the ministerial system?
Acting Chief Secretary for Administration:: I think it is unfortunate that we are faced with this particular problem. But I think the community accept that the civil service, like the rest of us, will have to make their own contribution in ensuring that the economy of Hong Kong is back in good shape.
Reporter: How whole-heartedly do you expect civil servants to implement polices of ministers whom they might in their heart hold responsible for having taken this legislative action?
Acting Chief Secretary for Administration:: I think civil servants, like the rest of us, understand that there is a need to make sure that Hong Kong remains competitive. As I have just said, I don't think the crux of the matter is so much about the need for the pay cut, but about how to achieve it. We are hoping that the legislation will be passed on Wednesday.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Monday, July 8, 2002
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