Messages of diversity and inclusion should resonate with all generations. To encourage young people in Hong Kong to voice out their views and hopes relating to equality, the EOC is partnering with M21 of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups to roll out a brand new initative, “Generation i”.

Targeting all secondary students in Hong Kong, the programme features free-of-charge workshops on comics drawing and video production conducted by veteran artists in November, as well as a competition consisting of “Comics” and “Short Video” divisions. Participants will have the chance to hone their expressive talents, create meaningful works of their own, and take home cash prizes up to HK$8,000!

Both the workshops and the competition are now open for applications. The deadlines are, respectively, 31 October 2018 and 26 January 2019. For enquiries, please contact the EOC at 2511 8211 or generationi@eoc.org.hk.

Learn more and enrol in the programme

On 31 August 2018, the EOC issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) on behalf of a foreign domestic helper who alleged that her former employer had discriminated against her on the ground of her pregnancy by forcing her to resign.

The SDO protects women, including foreign domestic workers, from pregnancy discrimination and covers areas of activity such as employment and the provision of goods, facilities or services. Under the SDO, it is unlawful for an employer to subject a woman to a disadvantage or dismiss her on the ground of her pregnancy.

Employment-related pregnancy discrimination remains one of the major sources of complaints received by the EOC. From 2015 until 2017, the EOC received a total of 200 complaints related to pregnancy discrimination, which accounted for 38% of all the complaints lodged under the SDO. As an enforcer of the anti-discrimination ordinances, the EOC hopes to remind the public of the rights of pregnant workers, foreign domestic workers included, under the SDO, and alert employers to the legal consequences of pregnancy discrimination.

Read the press release
Know your rights under the SDO

The EOC issued legal proceedings on 3 September 2018 under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) in the District Court on behalf of a woman (the “Claimant”) against her former supervisor (the “1st Respondent”) for sexually harassing her on a number of occasions, and her former employer (the “2nd Respondent”) for being vicariously liable for the unlawful sexual harassment acts committed by the 1st Respondent.

The SDO defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours, or any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where a reasonable person, having considered all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the victim would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. In this particular case, the 1st Respondent asked for the Claimant’s view about sharing a room with him during a business trip. He also engaged in other conducts of sexual nature, which the Claimant found offensive and intimidating.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is common and should not be tolerated. From 2015 to 2017, the EOC received 232 complaints about sexual harassment, representing 44% of the complaints lodged under the SDO. By taking the case to court, the EOC wishes for the public to acknowledge the gravity of sexual harassment at work, and for employers to fully grasp the concept of vicarious liaiblity – according to the SDO, employers may be vicariously liable for any discriminatory and sexual harassment acts done by their employees in the course of their employment, unless they can show that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent those acts.

Read the press release
Access EOC’s anti-sexual harassment resources

Co-organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, various government departments, NGOs and public organisations, including the EOC, “Mental Health Month” is a territory-wide programme aimed at promoting the importance of mental wellness and understanding towards people suffering from mental illnesses among the local community.

This year, the programme zooms in on “family and mental health” and features a competition inviting entries themed around “The Most Heartwarming Thing You Can Say” to show love and support to family members. Contestants can particiapte on an individual basis or in the name of the organisation they belong to. The competition is now open for submissions until 29 October 2018, 5pm. For enquiries, please contact Ms Chan of the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association at 3552 5193, or Ms Lam of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong at 2116 0503.

Read the rules and regulations (Chinese only)
Download the application form (Chinese only)
Visit the official Facebook page