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Following is the letter issued by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph WP Wong, today (October 21) to all civil servants on the subject, "Promotion continues in the Civil Service".

Dear colleagues,

In my letter of August 25, I have set out my response to some frequently asked questions raised by staff during my recent meetings with and visits to departments. One of them relates to promotion. I understand that colleagues are concerned about the promotion prospects in the civil service in the face of pressures arising from a fiscal deficit and the need to reduce the civil service establishment. There have been rumours that promotion exercises would be withheld in future. To allay these concerns, we have recently carried out a survey on the number of promotions announced from January to September this year. I would like to share with you our findings.

I am delighted to inform you that for the period from January up to September this year, departments have announced the promotion of a total of 1,008 officers. This figure demonstrates that despite the need to achieve financial savings and reduce the civil service establishment, promotion exercises are still being conducted where there are operational and organisational needs and upon confirmation by Heads of Departments of their long-term manpower needs and the necessary financial provisions in their budgets. More than half - 555 - of the promotees have been promoted to ranks with maximum pay point below Master Pay Scale Point 26 (ie, monthly salary of $33,940) or equivalent. This underlines the fact that meritorious civil servants, irrespective of their ranks, continue to enjoy the award of promotions.

Promotion is an integral part of the civil service system. Obviously, it has to be earned by the most deserving civil servants. It is also incumbent on a civil servant, whether he or she has reached the top rank of the grade, to continue to serve the public with the fullest dedication.

So while my congratulations go to all promotees, I would like to acknowledge the good work of all those civil servants who give of their best in discharging their day-to-day duties.

Mr Wong's letter has been uploaded onto the Civil Service Bureau website at www.csb.gov.hk.

Ends/Tuesday, October 21, 2003

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