E-News: Issue 167 - 14 August 2017

A simple illustration of colourful women forming a circle

Women can certainly hold up half the sky, but they are also more vulnerable and affected by poverty in Hong Kong. A report released by NGO Oxfam Hong Kong in 2016 showed that the number of women in poverty exceeded 610,000 in 2015, constituting more than half (53%) of the city’s population in poverty and 17.4% of the overall female population. This means that in every six women, one was living in poverty.

While the causes of poverty are varied, one major contributing factor is the family responsibility of women, who are still perceived by many as the primary care-giver at home. As a result, many of them are unable to take up full-time employment, and can only work on a part-time basis with meagre wages. Worse, under the existing Employment Ordinance, part-time employees working for less than 18 hours a week are not entitled to any employment benefits, such as annual leave, sick leave allowance and year-end bonus.

To highlight the plight of women, EOC Chairperson Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming wrote an article in the South China Morning Post and Ming Pao Daily on 14 August. Prof Chan said that the current policy not only raises an important issue of equality between part-time and full-time employees, but also affects women disproportionately, given that over 76% of part-time employees working less than 18 hours per week are women. He urged the Government to review the policy and introduce an alternative system of giving these part-time employees benefits on a pro-rata basis, as already implemented in many Western and other Asian societies.

Read Prof Chan’s article in the SCMP

Disability discrimination in the employment field remains one of the major categories of complaints received by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). Many of these were related to sick leave and work injuries. Between 2014 and 2016, the EOC received 233 complaints related to sick leave under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO), representing 29% of the 817 complaints received under the Ordinance during the same period.

On 28 July, the EOC issued legal proceedings in the District Court on behalf of a disability discrimination victim. The Plaintiff, who suffered from knee pain, alleged that her employer discriminated against her by terminating her employment on the ground of her disability. Under the DDO, it is unlawful for an employer to dismiss an employee or subject him/her to any detriment, on the ground of his/her disability. By taking this case to Court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness of disability discrimination in the workplace, and remind employers that such discrimination is unlawful, and that they should provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities.

Read the press release
Learn more about the protection under the DDO

We are very pleased that the EOC’s Annual Report 2015/16, entitled “We as One Celebrating Diversity”, has recently won the Gold Award in the 2016 Vision Awards Annual Report Competition organised by the League of American Communications Professionals LLC (LACP). The LACP was established in 2001 to provide a forum for discussing best-in-class practices among PR professionals, and recognise those who demonstrate exemplary communications behaviours. The Vision Awards Annual Report Competition, organised for the 15th year, attracted submissions from nearly 1,000 organisations from different industries and of different sizes across the globe in 2016.

The EOC’s Annual Report 2015/16 was published during the Commission’s 20th anniversary. Featuring a Chinese watercolour painting on the cover and Chinese calligraphy elements inside, the report was designed to bring out the concept of “succession” in traditional Chinese culture, and highlight the role of the EOC in helping to pass values of equal opportunities from generation to generation through the last two decades.

Read the 2015/16 Annual Report
See the results of the 2016 Vision Awards Annual Report Competition

A group photo of the participants of the T.E.E.N. Programme

We all know each individual is unique, yet many of us are influenced by stereotypes, sometimes unknowingly. The danger of stereotypes is that they can lead to prejudice, discrimination and unequal treatment of different groups. For the younger generation, gender stereotypes can lead to poor body image and interpersonal relationships, affecting their well-being and undermining their abilities to realise their full potential.

For the eighth year, The Women’s Foundation (TWF) is organising the “Talent, Empowerment, Equality and Networking” (T.E.E.N.) Programme for underprivileged youths. This youth empowerment programme aims to raise the youth participants’ awareness of stereotyping in their own lives and encourage discussion about prejudice and discrimination, while nurturing their commitment to diversity and inclusion. The EOC is delighted to partner with TWF on this innovative programme. On 31 July 2017, we hosted a visit for over 60 teens and their big brothers and sisters. Participants were given an informative talk on the concepts of stereotypes and discrimination, and engaged in discussion on how to avoid stereotypes in everyday life.

Talking about youth programme, the EOC is also going to roll out its annual youth mentorship programme, Youth Challenge, soon. Since 2002, the EOC has been organising this programme for secondary school students to highlight the importance of challenging stereotypes. This year, the programme will feature sharing sessions by various outstanding achievers from different fields. Do watch out for the details!

More details on the T.E.E.N. Programme
Go to the Facebook page of Youth Challenge

Some people tend to associate disability with dependency and limitations. Yet with the advancement of technology, many persons with disabilities can overcome their limitations and lead fulfilling lives, including building a rewarding career. For those with basic computer knowledge and an interest in developing a career in the IT field, there are now opportunities to do so, as Accessible IT Development Association Limited (AIDA) is now recruiting candidates to join the organisation.

Established in 2015, AIDA is a social enterprise dedicated to promoting barrier-free web access and the employment of persons with severe disabilities. The Association focuses on providing IT services for business enterprises and other organisations, and has so far worked on various projects, including the design and development of the award-winning website of The Hong Kong Society of Rehabilitation.

Upon recruitment, candidates will be provided with training so that they can acquire the technical knowhow and necessary skills. Depending on their skill levels, they will be assigned to take up different parts of the projects, enabling them to participate in gainful employment. Those with severe disabilities may choose to work at home or in the hostels. Interested candidates may complete the online application form or contact Mr Albert SO (Tel: 9266 3213; Email: info@aidahk.org) for further details.

Online application form (Chinese only)
Learn more about AIDA

Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.