中文版

  1. EOC releases findings of study on knowledge and experience of sexual harassment among Mainland Chinese immigrants and locally-born women in the service industries

EOC releases findings of study on knowledge and experience of sexual harassment among Mainland Chinese immigrants and locally-born women in the service industries
As part of its ongoing effort to combat sexual harassment, the EOC has been conducting surveys and studies to assess the trend of sexual harassment in different sectors. On 2 March 2018, the EOC released the findings of its latest “Study on knowledge of sexual harassment and experience of being sexually harassed in the service industries: Comparing recent female Mainland Chinese immigrants with locally-born women”. The study aims to compare the knowledge of sexual harassment and experience of being sexually harassed in the service industries between newly arrived female Mainland Chinese immigrants and locally-born women, and come up with concrete recommendations on enhancing the knowledge about sexual harassment.

According to the study findings, locally-born women were significantly more able to identify sexual harassment behaviours than female Mainland Chinese immigrants. Among the survey respondents, 14.6% of locally-born women and 9.6% of female Mainland Chinese immigrants have been sexually harassed in the service workplace. However, most respondents who experienced workplace sexual harassment, regardless of their birthplace, did not take actions against the harassers. Some respondents expressed that they were too frightened or had no idea how to handle such incidents; others would suffer in silence or flee the scene. For those who are prepared to stand up against sexual harassment, 69% of the newly arrived female Mainland Chinese immigrants said they would take action, compared to 50% of locally-born women. The higher inclination of the former to take action could be attributed to the fact that their investment in career in terms of time, effort and training is lower given their relatively shorter stay in Hong Kong. Hence the costs for them to change jobs would be lower.

To tackle sexual harassment, a multi-pronged approach of awareness-building and education – for both the employees and employers and for both male and female – is needed, besides legal action and policy formulation.  A higher level of understanding and knowledge of sexual harassment among diverse groups of people would definitely facilitate the creation of a harassment-free society.

Read the media statement
Read the report of the Study

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  1. EOC and CUHK co-organised seminar to deepen dialogue on eliminating sexual harassment

EOC and CUHK co-organised seminar to deepen dialogue on eliminating sexual harassmentOn 5 March, the EOC and the Gender Research Centre (GRC) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong co-organised a Seminar on Enhancing Awareness of Sexual Harassment in Different Sectors. Speakers from the education, social welfare and business sectors, as well as NGOs, were invited to share their experience in launching anti-sexual harassment campaigns, and discuss the issue of sexual harassment against women in the workplace and how to prevent sexual harassment in different sectors. At the Seminar, speakers and more than a hundred participants held placards of “#TIMESUP” and “#BreakingSilence (#打破沉默)” and got together for a photograph, in response to the international anti-sexual harassment and anti-sexual assault campaigns, and in support of Hong Kong's anti-sexual harassment campaign.

As EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming said, “It’s time for us to break the silence. Talking about preventing sexual harassment should no longer be a taboo. Indeed, we decided to organise this seminar with the GRC as International Women’s Day approaches, so as to explore how to further enhance awareness of sexual harassment issues across different sectors.”

Read the media statement
Visit the EOC’s anti-sexual harassment resource webpage

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  1. EOC launches citywide campaign to promote racial equality and integration

EOC launches citywide campaign to promote racial equality and integrationThe EOC has rolled out a citywide campaign to promote racial diversity and inclusiveness. Featuring MTR advertisements, public event, talks and seminar throughout March, the month-long programme aims to provide a platform for citywide action against racism, discrimination and intolerance, in observance of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) on 21 March.

Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC explained the purpose of the promotion: “Diversity is an integral part of Hong Kong and our city’s core value. Yet racism, xenophobia and intolerance remain prevalent in our society, and discriminatory practices can be seen in different sectors, robbing ethnic minorities of the opportunities that they should have in education, employment and other aspects. Taking the opportunity of IDERD, the EOC is organising a series of activities in March 2018 to raise awareness of the importance of racial integration, respect and acceptance in our society.”

To make the messages of racial diversity and inclusion visible, the EOC has arranged for posters of Tally & friends, the EOC’s children storybook series, to be installed at MTR stations from 9-23 March 2018. The EOC has also lined up a number of activities to engage different sectors of the community, including a talk to students of St. Rose of Lima’s College on 7 March by Mr Jeffrey ANDREWS, the first registered Indian social worker in Hong Kong; a public event featuring colourful cultural and singing performances, speeches and sharing at Lok Fu Place on 10 March (2:30-3:40pm), and a seminar on “Corporate Role in Promoting Racial Diversity” on 21 March with the support of HSBC.

Professor Chan added, “The campaign aligns with the Government’s effort to address racial inequality in the city. As announced in the Policy Address last October and the recent Budget, the Government is committed to enhancing its support for ethnic minorities, with $500 million earmarked for the purpose in the 2018/19 Budget. In addition, the Chief Secretary for Administration will set up a steering committee to coordinate, review and monitor the work in the area. The EOC has also received an additional one-off funding of $3 million from the Government to strengthen the promotion of racial integration. We have already made plans for various initiatives in 2018/19 to engage the community, and mobilise multi-sector effort to push forward the agenda of racial equality.”

Read the media statement
Read Prof Chan’s article on the origin of IDERD in am730 (Chinese only)
Find out more about the Race Discrimination Ordinance

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  1. EOC receives “Friendly Employment Award” from the Government

EOC receives Friendly Employment Award from the Government
The EOC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and developing talents has once again earned recognition. On 5 March, EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, joined by colleagues of the Commission, received the Friendly Employment Award under the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme (2017-18) from the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr LAW Chi-kwong.

The award gives due recognition to inclusive organisations which employ persons with disabilities (PWDs), utilise the work ability of employees with disabilities effectively, or encourage their business partners to employ PWDs. The EOC has been actively promoting the benefits of hiring PWDs to local enterprises and the support available from the Government and other organisations, besides being an employer of PWDs.

About the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme

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  1. Registration begins for the EOC’s spring training programme

Registration begins for the EOC’s spring training programme
The 2018 spring training programme by the EOC will run from mid-March to mid-June. Offering 10 different courses, the training programme aims to deepen the participants’ understanding on issues related to discrimination and equal opportunities. Some of the courses focus on discrimination in the workplace and are especially useful for employers, managers and human resources practitioners. For the fee-charging courses, the participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon completion. Interested parties can register for separate sessions at least seven working days prior to the sessions. Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The list of courses and details are available on the EOC website.

Find out information about the courses and how to enrol

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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.