The Executive Council approved on Tuesday a 2.87 percent pay increase for senior civil servants, and a 4.65 percent rise for middle and lower-ranking staff – unchanged from its proposals a week ago.

The Civil Service Bureau met with several staff unions after the council came up with the offer last week.

It said Exco arrived at the decision after thoroughly considering staff's response to the pay offers and other factors, including the state of Hong Kong's economy, the government's fiscal position, changes in the cost of living, the net pay trend indicators and civil service morale.

The government will submit the pay rise proposal to the Legislative Council as soon as possible, and the salary adjustment will be backdated to April.