Civil service job-related allowances are payable only if operationally justified and if in line with governing principles, the Civil Service Bureau says, adding they are not fringe benefits.

In response to media enquiries, the bureau said a comprehensive review of all job-related allowances payable to the civilian grades based on the new review mechanism has been completed, following the conclusion of the phase three review earlier this month.

The review covered Hardship Allowances payable to staff in the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and Department of Health and civil servants in the Hospital Authority.

3rd phase review

The bureau said the third phase review followed the same approach adopted for the first two phases completed in 2003.

It was conducted on the basis of the same set of governing principles that came into force in November 2002 following thorough consultation with staff representatives, departmental and grade management and the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service.

Other considerations that were taken into account during the review of individual job-related allowances are:

* the original justifications for the allowances in question;

* present day circumstances;

* accountability for public expenditure;

* departmental management's review recommendations; and,

* the feedback received during the staff consultation on these recommendations.

Positive response

The whole review is a positive Government response to the concerns and recommendations raised by the Director of Audit and the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Council, the bureau said.

The committee recommended in response to the Director of audit's report No.33 that the administration should establish a mechanism to regularly review the justifications for various allowances payable to civil servants and to take early action to abolish allowances that have become outdated or are no longer justified in present day circumstances to ensure the prudent use of public funds.