'Target senior officials for civil service pay cuts'
The survey finds 80 percent of respondents support civil service pay adjustments in times of fiscal pressure. Photo: RTHK
New People's Party lawmaker Dominic Lee, together with the Civil Force, on Friday urged the government to mainly target senior officials for future pay cuts.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced a pay freeze for executive authorities and all civil servants in his Budget in February .
In a survey that took in more than 650 Hong Kong residents over the past two weeks, Lee said, civil service pay adjustments in times of fiscal pressures were supported by around 80 percent of respondents.
Around 70 percent believed senior officials should be the primary target for pay cuts, while just three percent support slashing the salaries of frontline staff.
Lee hopes cuts in civil service pay in the future will only target senior officials.
'A lot of people felt that government officials at higher levels are receiving a lot of taxpayers' dollars, so they have a bigger responsibility to bear a share of the financial burden,' he said.
'Hong Kong is facing a lot of economic problems.
"I think if we also extend the pay cuts to lower and mid-level civil servants, that will really affect the general economic situation of Hong Kong.'
Lee said more than 80 percent support linking civil service pay to the city's economic performance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
6 hours ago
- RTHK
HK unis accept over 60 students affected by US policy
HK unis accept over 60 students affected by US policy Education chief Christine Choi says local universities have been very active when it comes to attracting top talents from around the world. File photo: RTHK Education minister Christine Choi on Sunday said dozens of people affected by US policy changes on international university students, have been admitted to Hong Kong universities. Choi said the SAR's eight publicly-funded universities received more than 1,000 enquiries on transfer of studies, after authorities earlier announced that Hong Kong welcomes any students who are being discriminated by the US policy. "More than 60 offers have been given out so far, and students are originally from different US universities," Choi told a TVB programme. When asked if more American scholars have come to Hong Kong as well, she said that local universities have been very active when it comes to attracting top talents from around the world. Meanwhile, the minister reiterated that the impact of the government's decision to tighten eligibility for subsidised university places for children of non-local talent is small. Choi said such children are still deemed as local students, but it is necessary for them to meet the requirements before applying for different subsidies. "We have a two-year transitional period, so there is enough time for talent scheme applicants and their dependants to prepare and meet the eligibility [for local student subsidies]. If they do not fit the they have to do is just pay the non-subsidised tuition fees," she said. The government on Thursday announced that from the 2028-29 academic year, students with dependant visas or entry permits obtained before the age of 18 will need to live in Hong Kong for the two years prior to the start of their courses, if they want to be qualified for subsidised education.
RTHK
6 hours ago
- RTHK
HK unis accept over 60 students affected by US policy
HK unis accept over 60 students affected by US policy Education chief Christine Choi says local universities have been very active when it comes to attracting top talents from around the world. File photo: RTHK Education minister Christine Choi on Sunday said dozens of people affected by US policy changes on international university students, have been admitted to Hong Kong universities. Choi said the SAR's eight publicly-funded universities received more than 1,000 enquiries on transfer of studies, after authorities earlier announced that Hong Kong welcomes any students who are being discriminated by the US policy. "More than 60 offers have been given out so far, and students are originally from different US universities," Choi told a TVB programme. When asked if more American scholars have come to Hong Kong as well, she said that local universities have been very active when it comes to attracting top talents from around the world. Meanwhile, the minister reiterated that the impact of the government's decision to tighten eligibility for subsidised university places for children of non-local talent is small. Choi said such children are still deemed as local students, but it is necessary for them to meet the requirements before applying for different subsidies. "We have a two-year transitional period, so there is enough time for talent scheme applicants and their dependants to prepare and meet the eligibility [for local student subsidies]. If they do not fit the they have to do is just pay the non-subsidised tuition fees," she said. The government on Thursday announced that from the 2028-29 academic year, students with dependant visas or entry permits obtained before the age of 18 will need to live in Hong Kong for the two years prior to the start of their courses, if they want to be qualified for subsidised education.
RTHK
9 hours ago
- RTHK
HK to push 'headquarters economy', Northern Metropolis
HK to push 'headquarters economy', Northern Metropolis John Lee says Hong Kong is recording positive economic growth. Photo: RTHK Attracting global enterprises and introducing high-end industries to the Northern Metropolis are among the government's development strategies, Chief Executive John Lee said on Sunday as he held a second town hall meeting with citizens before delivering September's Policy Address. He revealed the government has received more than 5,500 opinions since the public consultation for the policy blueprint was launched in June, marking a nearly 10 percent increase compared to last year. Speaking at the town hall, Lee said Hong Kong should find ways to attract more global firms to set up their headquarters in the SAR. Retaining talent is crucial to Hong Kong's competitiveness, he added. 'Statistics show that Hong Kong has recorded a new high in the number of newly-registered non-local companies, which means we have attracted international enterprises, among which many are from the mainland, but there are also global companies. We will continue to work on this area,' he said. Lee also said the government aims to introduce high-end industries to the Northern Metropolis, a key development project for Hong Kong. During the town hall meeting, an audience member suggested that the government support non-Chinese speaking students who wish to study Putonghua, so they can pursue careers in the Greater Bay Area. Lee agreed that there should be education policies which cater to their needs. 'The ethnic minority population, in my mind, is a major part of our family. So we hope to integrate them with the community's development,' he said. 'In terms of education, I agree that some special measures should be introduced to help them. Over the years, we have allocated resources to facilitate ethnic minorities' learning of Chinese and we are listening to people's opinions to improve our measures.' Other matters raised during the meeting included tourism, helping people familiarise themselves with digital services, elderly care and Chinese medicine development. On the economy, Lee noted that Hong Kong is experiencing economic restructuring, while seeing positive growth. The CE also pointed out the government has become faster when it comes to helping residents during extreme weather events or power outages.
