2008 Pay Trend Survey findings announced

The 2008 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 (14 May) 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 2 April 2007 to 1 April 2008 :

4.47% for the lower salary band (i.e. employees earning below $14,990 per month);

5.87% for the middle salary band (i.e. employees earning from $14,990 to $45,970 per month);

6.90% for the upper salary band (i.e. employees earning from $45,971 to $91,765 per month).

The above indicators are tentative and are subject to validation by the PTSC next Wednesday (21 May).

The PTS results will be submitted to the Administration after validation by the PTSC. 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 specific rates of adjustments for civil service pay for 2008–2009.

The survey results reflect the pay trend in 97 companies covering 141,289 employees over the 12-month period from 2 April 2007 to 1 April 2008. These companies comprise 72 larger companies (employing 100 or more staff) and 25 smaller companies (employing 50-99 staff). They are those regarded as typical employers in their respective fields, generally known as steady and good employers conducting salary administration on a rational and systematic basis.

In line with the improved methodology as approved by the Chief Executive-in-Council in March 2007, smaller companies are included in the survey field for the second year with a view to enhancing the representativeness and credibility of the survey.

The survey takes into account adjustments to basic salary and additional payments for employees of the surveyed companies relating to cost of living, changes in market rates, 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 of the co-operation and assistance rendered by the participating companies to the 2008 PTS.