November 27, 2020 Professor Xiang Zhang Vice-Chancellor The University of Hong Kong Dear Professor Zhang, We wish to refer to the circular entitled “General Pay Freeze for 2020/21” sent to staff by bulk email on October 28 by Professor YC Richard Wong, Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Mr. Steve Lo, Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance). We are extremely disappointed with the University’s unilateral decision on the General Pay Freeze for all University colleagues in the year 2020/21 without wide consultation. As a subvented institution and from the Government’s funding perspective for General Pay Adjustment, we understand that the University needs to adopt the same policy announced by the Government on the pay freeze for civil servants with retrospective effect from April 1, 2020. However, the policy does not limit the provision of annual increment to eligible civil servants. The University should follow the same, rather than suspending the performance-based salary increment (Reward Steps) of colleagues which will certainly have a negative impact on staff morale especially for colleagues who have not reached their salary top point. What worries us more is that there are exceptions in the General Pay Freeze, as the circular states “Any exceptions to (ii) above will only be considered on the basis of exceptional merits and circumstances to be approved by the Provost or the Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) as the case may be. “The” exceptional merits and circumstances” stated is not defined at all and totally non-transparent and will encourage shoe-shinning culture. We believe the University should have a policy fair to all colleagues, i.e. based on the PRD and PRSD for pay adjustment. Here, we urge the University to reconsider not to suspend the Reward Steps which is assessed based on colleague’s performance, with reasons highlighted below:
1. The University Council has already approved that the budget for the year 2020/21 remained the same as the previous year, so there is already provision for the Reward Steps for this year.
2. Eligible civil servants are receiving annual increments. The University should match with the Government in order to maintain competitiveness.
3. It is indicated in the PRD and PRSD documents that Reward Steps will be provided to performing staff. Staff members are expecting the University to honor their commitments.
4. As the majority of staff are serving on substantive terms and many of them have reached their salary top point, the amount allocated to Reward Steps should not be significant comparing to other major expenses. However, this insignificant amount can demonstrate the University's determination of keeping their commitments and staff morale even during this difficult time.
We look forward to receiving your earliest reply. Yours sincerely, Executive Committees ASA & HKUEU
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