Discrimination and harassment against people with disabilities, especially those who suffer from mental illness, remain prevalent in the workplace. On 1 June, the EOC initiated legal proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) in the District Court on behalf of a disability harassment victim. The Plaintiff, who suffered from work injury and bipolar disorder, alleged that her immediate supervisor harassed her on the ground of her disability, by calling her by a nickname she found offending, and making a discriminatory remark against her.

Under the DDO, harassment against a person with a disability is unlawful. Harassment is any unwelcome conduct on account of a person’s disability where it can be reasonably anticipated that the person would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. Examples of disability harassment include insulting remarks and offensive jokes about a person's mental illness. By taking this case to Court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness of these discriminatory acts and remind the public that disability harassment in the workplace is unlawful.

On 26 May 2017, the EOC Chairperson, Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, published an opinion-editorial article in Ming Pao Daily on the mental health system in Hong Kong and the challenges. This followed Professor Chan’s earlier article released in the South China Morning Post on 15 May.

Quoting information from international organisations, including the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Professor Chan highlighted the inadequacies of Hong Kong’s mental health system and the dire consequences, notably the hefty social, economic and other costs to society. He called on the SAR Government to take prompt actions, particularly on mapping out long-term, comprehensive policies and strategies for addressing Hong Kong’s mental health issues, which were found missing in the recently released Mental Health Review Report. Professor Chan also appealed to the public to lend greater support to those suffering from mental illness. As he put it, “Our society needs to change the attitudes towards mental illness. We need to drop stigma and discrimination, and offer the needy greater compassion and support, such that everyone can enjoy the fair chance of participating in society.”

Hong Kong is one of the fastest ageing populations in Asia. According to Government statistics, one in three persons will be aged 65 and above by 2041. But as technology advances, elderly persons can lead healthy, independent, safe and comfortable lives and be able to participate in society. To promote the development and adoption of assistive technology and inclusive designs for the elderly, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) is co-organising the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES) with the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Held from 16-18 June at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, GIES provides a platform for showcasing tailor-made and purpose-built products and services for the elderly, and for experts, industry leaders, policymakers, elderly persons and their families and carers to share their views. Members of the public are welcome to join the Expo. Admission is free.
 

Other than GIES, HKCSS is also co-organising the 2017 Hong Kong Conference of Workability International and Workability Asia with the Hong Kong Joint Council of People with Disabilities from 12-14 June. The theme of the Conference is “Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities at Work”. The sub-themes include: enabling ecosystem to facilitate work potential and employment opportunities; social innovation in enhancing their employability; and social impact of social enterprises.  The Conference is intended to invite stakeholders, including government representatives, non-governmental organisations and business partners who provide work and employment, employees who are in open and supported employment, as well as self-help groups or organisations, to share experiences and practices, with a view to creating a positive eco-system for people with disabilities to be engaged in meaningful work and employment.

Walking on the bustling streets of ultra-modern, cosmopolitan Hong Kong, it is difficult to imagine life as a refugee. But for more than 20 million people in forced displacement worldwide, this is a terrifying reality. According to the United Nations, every minute eight people are forced to flee war, persecution or terror. These people are forced to leave their home countries, their families and loved ones, some never knowing when they will return or if they will ever find a home. Amid the anti-refugee rhetoric in Hong Kong and around the world, it may be worthwhile to take a brief moment to reflect on the pain and trauma experienced by these people on this year’s World Refugee Day on 20 June, and how we, as part of humanity, can help build greater tolerance, diversity and equality in society. In fact, various NGOs in Hong Kong are leveraging the occasion to organise activities that aim to raise public awareness of the plight of refugees and migrants. These include:

 

-		Shared Pasts (20 June) – This event is organised by Justice Centre Hong Kong and The Good Lab in collaboration with photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani to showcase stories of Hong Kong’s refugees, past and present, through photo exhibition.
-		Community xChange (22 June) – This event is organised by Table of Two Cities. Bringing together artists from the refugee and local communities to showcase their talents and cultures, it will feature live music performance, DJ and other activities. Table of Two Cities is a grassroots project that documents stories from the refugee community in Hong Kong through the medium of food.
-		Refugee Walk for Charity (24 June) – Organised by Community Business and Christian Action, this fundraising event aims to arouse awareness of the difficulties faced by refugees and asylum seekers. All proceeds will be donated to the refugee families and the event co-organiser Christian Action.
-		Community Builders’ Network Meeting on Combating Racial Inequality (12 July) – Organised by Community Business, this meeting will focus on the well-being of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, and will feature presentations and panel discussion by guest speakers including the EOC representative, as well as an experiential activity for participants to learn about “unconscious bias”.