Northeast China's Jilin Province recently recruited two computer specialists from the public, which triggered nationwide controversy over the current civil service system and the potential for a sequential effect as more cities began following suit.

Such employees enjoy a rather high salary - the highest could reach 200,000 yuan (US$24,100) annually while the average salary of public servants in the provincial government is only around 13,200 yuan (US$1,590) per year.

But they have no administrative power. And they are out of the official bianzhi, or personnel quota. They focus only on technical tasks and the only bond between them and government is a working contract. When the contract expires, they have to sign up with the government again.

Zhang Ming, 33, formerly with Compaq's Shenyang office, and Professor Li Wenyin from Jilin University, took their positions at the end of last month.

They will assist in the establishment and maintenance of the provincial network of public security, with each earning an annual salary of 100,000 yuan (US$12,000) before tax.

"The move evinces our need for talented people," said Wang Dajun, officer with the provincial department of public security.

"Our aim is to make the government more effective."

China is poised to revive the old northeastern industrial base. Local government is also speeding up all-round reform in line with this great strategy. Human resources, especially experts in computer technology, information and finance, emerge as a major weak point of the government.

"Human resources are the primary assets of a region. It is unimaginable for Northeast China to achieve the goal of revitalization without abundant talented human resources," said Hong Hu, governor of Jilin Province.

The inadequacy of high-quality human resources in the government, however, does not suffice to sell well the new idea of employing professionals outside the bianzhi to the people.

While some hold it is a personnel systematic breakthrough, others doubt whether the government can make better use of its existing talent pool to carry out tasks that would otherwise fall on the shoulders of new government employees.

"Our telephone suffered intensive bombardment. Kudos, condemnation and worries all poured in," said Yi Zhanrong, senior official from the province's Personnel Department.

"This move shows our earnest desire to improve government performance. It will help strengthen investor's confidence," said Yi.

Wu Wenchang, the provincial government director of human resources, attributed the recruitment to the transition of the function of the government departments and the rapid development of science and technologies.

"Today government departments need more support from well-trained specialists to overcome certain technological hurdles when carrying out administrative functions," said Wu.

"I believe it will make our government more flexible and effective.".

Li Dezhi, vice-dean of the Administration Department of Jilin University, said: "It is a brand new system compared to the old civil service system as it breathes in the modern idea of market and contract. This is a bold try."

However, the new plan means part of the function that previously would have been shouldered by civil servants is now transferred to extra government employees. It means a partial failure of the government to fully carry out its function.

And some civil servants said there have been many high-calibre professionals in the current civil servant team. Due to the rigid system, they could not find the position that best suited them. And it was a waste to find employees from outside.

Some experts also worried that government could not find the right person, as the salary is not very competitive.

"The common salary for such a position in a company is more than 200,000 yuan (US$24,100) in Beijing and Shanghai. I just wonder if the (government) salary can really attract the right person," said Bo Weichun, professor from Northeast Normal University.

Beyond payment, there is another practical concern - what should these government employees do if their superiors disagree with them?

Everything would be fine if the superior is wise enough. But how about when he is not? And who would be responsible for the administration and assessment of government employees' work?

Policy-makers must be cautious as taxpayers will have to shoulder the consequences if the new scheme does not work well.

 (China Daily)