中文版

  1. New EOC radio drama series on disability discrimination is on air

Poster of the EOC
The Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO), enacted in 1996, is among the earliest anti-discrimination ordinances that came into being in Hong Kong. All these years, the EOC has been striving to advance the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs), such as working with the Government to enhance barrier-free accessibility. Despite the longstanding effort of the EOC and other stakeholders, disabilities are still stigmatised today, especially in the job market. In view of this, the EOC has made it a key focus to create better employment opportunities for PWDs.

One of our new initiatives to raise public awareness of disability discrimination issues is a campaign named “Employment Equality Project”, rolled out with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 1, and supported by 22 rehabilitation groups and NGOs promoting the rights of PWDs. Under the campaign, we have launched a 52-episode radio drama series to arouse public interest in the DDO. Each short episode is made up of conversations among a group of reporters who cover disability discrimination news. Their dialogues incorporate scenarios from real life as well as useful information about the DDO, such as what “disabilities” encompass and what constitutes employment-related disability discrimination. The 3-minute drama series, broadcast as part of the radio programme “Care for Disabled”, began on 30 July and can be listened to live every Sunday or on RTHK’s website.
 
Other programmes under the campaign include video interviews with employers of PWDs, a writing competition and a public event. Do stay tuned – for updates from us and to the drama series on RTHK Radio 1.

Listen to the radio drama series on RTHK Radio 1
Visit the campaign Facebook page
Learn more about disability discrimination in employment

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  1. From “Beef Ball” to chocolate eggs – learn something about stereotypes in the new issue of Equality Perspectives

Cover of the new issue of Equality Perspectives
“What is stereotyping?” “Why does it matter to me?” “What can be done to avoid them?” Not that many of us ask ourselves these questions. And by not doing so, we may be missing out on a lot in life – we may be squeezing ourselves into gender roles we feel uncomfortable in, not befriending people from another race who are actually our kindred spirits, or stifling our children’s chance to excel because we believe they are bound by their disabilities.

Stereotyping was a survival skill that once helped our cave-dwelling ancestors steer clear of potential predators. In the modern world, it tends to do more harm than good – an extreme example is the anti-Semitic movement during the Second World War which left a visible scar on human civilisation.

To arouse interest in the not-so-light topic, the second issue of Equality Perspectives explores it in a light-hearted manner, with interesting interviews, including one with “Beef Ball” CHAN Yuen-ting, the much-talked about female football coach, on the hurdles she had to overcome in the male-dominated world of football. We also talked to real people about the “micro-aggression” they have been subjected to, and looked at a few common stereotypes in everyday life.

The journal was published and distributed with copies of Hong Kong Economic Times on 28 August. Those who missed the hardcopy can read the uploaded version on the EOC website.

Read the Equality Perspectives online

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  1. EOC takes pregnancy discrimination case to Court

An EOC poster on pregnancy discrimination

On 25 August 2017, the EOC issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) on behalf of a woman who was dismissed by her company during her maternity leave.

Pregnancy discrimination complaints are among the most common complaints received by the EOC under the SDO. By bringing this case to Court, the EOC hopes to remind employers that it is unlawful to discriminate against an employee because of her pregnancy.

But more importantly, we hope employers and the general public would come to understand that by having children and working at the same time, women are not merely exercising their rights, but contributing to the economy and the continuation of human society. What they deserve is respect, not discrimination.

Link to press release
Learn more about pregnancy discrimination

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  1. Call for submission: Community Participation Funding Programme 2017/18

The EOC’s latest Community Participation Funding Programme will be closed for applications on 15 September 2017. Interested parties are reminded to send all the required forms and documents to the EOC office by the deadline.

The funding programme offers subsidies to projects by NGOs that aim at promoting discrimination prevention and equal opportunities related to the current anti-discrimination ordinances. Projects eligible for funding can take different forms. For details, please refer to the link below.

Details of the Community Participation Funding Programme

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  1. Work-life balance impacts employee retention more than ever

Promotional banner of Work-Life Balance Week by Community Business
Many companies face challenges in attracting and retaining their talent in today’s dynamic, competitive business environment. Work-life balance is found to be one key factor that impacts an employee’s decision to stay with a company. According to a survey commissioned by Community Business, “Driving Cultural Change to Achieve Work-Life Balance”, four out of 10 employees said they would consider leaving their job for one that promises better work-life balance. More alarmingly, Gen-Y employees, or the so-called “post-80s generation”, show a much lower tolerance for poor work-life balance, with 67% of them saying they would quit if their job affords no such balance. As the younger generation progressively makes up a significant portion of the workforce, it is high time for all employers to review policies and initiatives to address the issue of work-life balance.
 
Community Business, an NGO whose mission is to “lead, inspire and support businesses to have a positive impact on people and communities”, has been running an awareness-raising campaign “Work-Life Balance Week” every year to promote work-life balance and employee wellbeing as a critical business issue in Hong Kong and across Asia.  Since 2008, hundreds of organisations across Asia have participated by holding work-life balance activities and initiatives during the Week, and many have been implementing work-life balance policies and practices that benefit their employees year-round. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Week, which will take place from 16 to 20 October 2017. 
 
The EOC is pleased to be a supporting organisation of the initiative again this year.  We are eager to see more and more organisations from both the commercial and public sectors taking part, so that workers in Hong Kong can enjoy better physical and mental health and quality time with their families.

Get details and register for Work-Life Balance Week 2017

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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.