Pay Trend Survey Committee Meeting on May 19, 2011
**************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Pay Trend Survey Committee:

     The 2011 Pay Trend Survey (PTS) Report, compiled by the Pay Survey and Research Unit of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service, is released today (May 19) to members of the Pay Trend Survey Committee (PTSC).

     The survey has indicated the following average pay adjustments in the surveyed companies over the 12-month period from April 2, 2010 to April 1, 2011:

                                           Gross
             Basic      Additional          pay
              pay    +    pay         =    trend
          indicators    indicators       indicators
          ----------    -----------      ----------

Lower        3.80%   +   2.34%        =     6.14%
salary
band   
(below
$15,875
per month)

Middle       4.71%   +   2.27%        =     6.98%
salary
band
($15,875-
$48,670
per month)

Upper        5.18%   +   2.72%        =     7.90%
salary
band   
($48,671-
$96,885
per month)

     The above indicators are tentative and are subject to verification and validation by the PTSC next Thursday (May 26).  After that, the PTS results will be submitted to the Administration.  In accordance with the established practices, the Administration will take into account the Pay Trend Indicators derived from the PTS and other pertinent considerations, namely, the state of the economy of Hong Kong, the Government's fiscal position, changes in the cost of living, pay claims of the staff sides and civil service morale, before making a decision on the 2011-2012 civil service pay adjustment.

     The survey results reflect the pay trend in 116 companies covering 184,350 employees over the 12-month period from April 2, 2010 to April 1, 2011.  Among these companies, there are 87 larger companies (employing 100 or more staff) and 29 smaller companies (employing 50-99 staff).  These companies are regarded as typical employers in their respective fields, generally known as steady and good employers with systematic and rational salary administration.

     The survey is conducted in accordance with the improved methodology as approved by the Chief Executive-in-Council in March 2007.  The survey takes into account adjustments to basic salary and additional payments awarded to employees of the surveyed companies attributable to factors in relation to cost of living, changes in market rates, general prosperity and company performance, merit and in-scale increment.

     The PTSC is chaired by Ms Virginia Choi, who is a member of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service.  Ms Choi wishes to express the PTSC's sincere appreciation for the co-operation and assistance rendered by the participating companies to the 2011 PTS.

Ends/Thursday, May 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:25

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