Press Release

For Immediate Release

31 March 1998

Dr Leong Che-hung discontented towards

Hospital Authority Bulldozing through

 New Staff Remuneration Package 

      The Hospital Authority (HA) Board today approved the New Remuneration Package for future staff basing on the new funding basis by the Government. The new package will take effect on 1 April 1998.

      Dr Leong Che-hung, Member of the HA Board, stated his objection to the decision : -

(1) For a start, he maintains his objection to the new funding basis proposal by the Government, which is contrary to the initial understanding between Government and the then Provisional Hospital Authority, ie to develop a package for staff which will "attract, motivate and retain well qualified staff".

(2) Government repeatedly stress that the funding basis is based on cost comparability between HA staff and civil service. Yet, ironically, Government has categorically rejected an alternative of offering new staff a "back to back” civil service package -- the best option for ensuring cost comparability. In short, Government has shifted its goal posts.

(3) In relation to the HA's new package, Dr Leong's objection is that there is no necessity for the urgency of pushing it to take effect on 1 April 1998. He believes that since HA is engaging an actuarial consultant to study the issue, the Board should wait for this report before decision on a perhaps even more "perfect", more "acceptable” package, under the constraints of government funding. 

(4) With the situation of HA staff of the same rank, bearing the same duties, but having different set of packages being inevitable in future, Dr Leong worries that staff morale would suffer serious blow.

      On the possibility of "industrial actions” by HA staff, Dr Leong is confident that whatever action health care staff will take, they will do their best to ensure that the quality of clinical services to patients will not be disturbed.

      Dr Leong stressed that it would be up to Government and the HA to work out means to minimise staff grievances.

(For enquiries, please contact Ms Denise Wong on 2524 9596 or 71128632  page 9031)