Hong Kong civil servants get up to 4.12% pay rise, bottom 10% face freeze

Hong Kong civil servants are in line for salary increases ranging from 1.17% to 4.12%, according to preliminary pay trend survey results released Thursday. The survey, which analyzed data from 104 private companies, proposed a 4.12% raise for senior officials, 2.64% for middle-ranking staff, and 1.17% for junior employees. The figures must still receive final approval from the Executive Council. Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan addressed concerns about public backlash following the deadly Tai Po fire, emphasizing that most civil servants are professional, efficient, and devoted, and that social sentiment will be weighed by the council.

Starting in October, a more rigorous performance appraisal system will be introduced across departments. Under the new system, departments will adopt a normal distribution curve, with the bottom 10% of performers receiving grades D to F on a six-grade scale—and no pay rise. Yeung noted that the 10% benchmark serves as a guideline, with a 5% buffer allowed depending on departmental circumstances, especially where most staff perform satisfactorily. This move aims to improve accountability and link compensation more directly to performance, while still granting the majority of civil servants a modest increase in line with private sector trends.