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The Public Officers Pay Adjustments (2004/2005) Bill, which was approved by the Chief Executive in Council on May 13, 2003, was published in the Gazette today (May 16).

"The Bill seeks to implement the decision of the Government to restore the dollar value of all civil service pay points to the levels as at June 30, 1997 in cash terms," a spokesman of the Civil Service Bureau said.

On February 25, 2003, the Government decided to restore the dollar value of all civil service pay points below Directorate Pay Scale Point 3 (D3) or equivalent to the levels as at June 30, 1997 in cash terms by two adjustments of broadly equal amount to be implemented from January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005 respectively, and to restore the dollar value of all civil service pay points at D3 and above or equivalent to the levels as at June 30, 1997 in cash terms from January 1, 2004. On April 8, 2003, the Chief Executive in Council agreed in principle to the draft Public Officers Pay Adjustments (2004/2005) Bill for implementing the pay reduction decision.

"Having considered the views received from staff representatives on the draft Bill, the Chief Executive in Council has approved the introduction of the Bill into the Legislative Council," the spokesman said.

The Public Officers Pay Adjustments (2004/2005) Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on May 21, 2003.

End/Friday, May 16, 2003

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