On 18 May 2018, the EOC issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) in the District Court on behalf of a male employee of a Christian organisation. He alleged that on a number of occasions during his employment, he was sexually harassed by a male senior staff member who inappropriately touched his private part.

Under the SDO, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours, and other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the victim would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. The SDO covers various fields of activity, including employment.

In 2017, 48% of the complaints handled by the EOC under the SDO were related to sexual harassment, totalling 129 cases. By taking the case to court, the EOC continues its commitment to helping the aggreived seek redress, and hopes to raise public awareness of the legal consequences of sexual harassment.

Read the press release
Read the EOC's guide "Know Your Rights – Sexual Harassment in the Workplace"

The saying “never judge a book by its cover” rings loud and clear in EOC’s latest documentary Let Their Talents Bloom, which features the uplifting story of trainees at Hong Chi Kwong Fuk Wai Yin Workshop as they overcome their intellectual disabilities and find joy and purpose in the art of floral arrangement.

Under the guidance of mentors, the trainees create beautiful flower arrangements and help with venue decoration on-site during events, constantly impressing their clients with an attention to detail that is second to none. Just like flowers that come in all shapes and sizes but blossom all the same, they are marked by different personalities but united by a growing sense of confidence and fulfilment.

The talents and potential of people with disabilities (PWDs) – including those with intellectual disabilities – provide a solution to the problem of Hong Kong’s shrinking workforce. Grooming them to be skilful, committed employees not only paves the way for their economic empowerment, but also helps companies save rehiring and training costs. The key to reaching this win-win situation is to forgo our preconceptions and see them beyond their disabilities.

Watch Let Their Talents Bloom on our YouTube channel
Learn about the rights of people with intellectual disabilities
More about the services of Hong Chi Association

On 16 May 2018, EOC Chairperson, Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming released an article in am730 and the South China Morning Post to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on 17 May, urging the Government to delay no further in legislating against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.

Since shelving its legislative plan in 2006 in view of divided opinions, the Government has relied heavily on public and employer education campaigns to promote LGBTI inclusion. Twelve years on, its commitment to driving legislative action remains lukewarm, despite repeated calls from monitoring bodies of the United Nations, evidence of persistent discrimination documented by NGOs and the EOC, as well as landmark court rulings that could have been capitalised on to effect more fundamental change. The EOC hopes that the Government will show greater initiative in introducing an anti-discrimination ordinance and take the lead in dispelling widespread myths, including concerns about infringement upon the freedom of speech and religion – rights that are already enshrined under the Bill of Rights Ordinance and can be further protected through exemptions in the new law.

Indeed, advocacy is a major part of the EOC’s work, and most recently we are honoured to receive recognition at the 2018 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards organised by Community Business, where our Legal Counsel, Mr Peter READING won the LGBT+ Advocacy Award. Holding dear the vision of building a pluralistic and inclusive society, the EOC will continue to be a vocal supporter of equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people.

Read Prof Chan’s article in the South China Morning Post
Read Prof Chan’s article in am730 (Chinese only)
See the full list of winners of the 2018 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards

Although the number of institutions with an anti-sexual harassment policy has risen in recent years, many educational and non-governmental institutions are still unprepared in dealing with actual cases of sexual harassment, let alone preventing it. To address the difficulties they face in implementing the policy and introduce concrete measures applicable across various settings, the Gender Research Centre, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong will organise a workshop entitled “Sexual Harassment in Institutions” as part of their Annual Gender Roles Workshop series on 30 June (Saturday) from 9:15am – 12:45pm at Lecture Theatre 2, UG/F, Sino Building, Chung Chi College.

Conducted in Cantonese, the two-part workshop will consist of guest presentations and a panel discussion. The EOC’s Director of Policy, Research and Training, Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man will be present to share insights about raising awareness of sexual harassment and enhancing the effectiveness of established policies on an institutional level.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Childcare service is also available upon request. For programme and registration details, please click the links below.

See the full speaker line-up
Register for the workshop
Access the EOC's anti-sexual harassment resources

Hong Kong’s rapidly aging population means that more and more foreign domestic workers (FDWs) have to share the responsibility of looking after the elderly members of the families they work with. To equip FDWs with the knowledge and skills essential to elderly care, Mission for Migrant Workers will conduct training sessions on 10 June (2 – 6pm) and 15 July (10am – 2pm) at 4-8 Garden Road, Central as the latest chapter of their Care Training Series.

In addition, separate sessions will be organised on 27 May and 17 June (2 – 5pm) to offer FDWs useful tips on home safety, so that they can live and work in an environment free from hazards and accidents.

Interested individuals should send a message to Mission for Migrant Workers via their Facebook page (click link below).

Visit Mission for Migrant Workers’ Facebook page
Read the EOC's guide to the Race Discrimination Ordinance for foreign domestic helpers and their employers