Issue 119

6 August 2015

平機會電子通訊

News From EOC

電話 Tel: 2511 8211
網址 Website: www.eoc.org.hk
電話短訊查詢服務
SMS Enquiry Service: 6972566616538

 

中文版

1. The EOC Gives Legal Assistance in Sexual Harassment Case
   

The EOC issued legal proceedings on 29 July 2015 in the District Court under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480, in relation to an employer’s vicarious liability for the unlawful sexual harassment acts committed by its employee and for victimisation of the Claimant for making a sexual harassment complaint.

The Claimant alleged that the Respondent, her former employer, did not take any action after she filed a complaint of sexual harassment against her supervisor, even though she had a witness to support her case. From the information available, there was no guidance on the prevention of sexual harassment, no related training for staff, and no complaint-handling mechanism maintained by the Respondent. Later on, upon the expiry of the Claimant’s employment contract, the Respondent stipulated that unless the Claimant was willing to move to a remote work location, her contract would not be renewed. Owing to her childcare responsibilities, the Claimant declined the transfer and had no choice but to terminate her employment with the Respondent. However, all her colleagues were offered new contracts without the need for transfer.

By taking this case to the Court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness about the importance of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. It is especially vital for employers and human resource practitioners to be vigilant against such acts, and provide a safe and harassment-free working environment for their employees through appropriate policies and practices, so that they can perform their best.

Read the EOC’s press release

*********************************************

2. The EOC Supports World Breastfeeding Week
   

The first week of August marks World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually to promote and support breastfeeding and the health of infants, with this year’s theme being working women and breastfeeding. To reiterate the Commission’s support of the right of women to breastfeed, the EOC Chairperson, Dr York CHOW, published an op-ed article on this topic in the South China Morning Post and Ming Pao Daily on 1 August. Dr Chow noted the benefits of breastfeeding and urged for both public acceptance and more accommodating measures, including in the workplace. “We all want to give our children the best possible start in life. Many working mothers wish to breastfeed, but may be unable to do so because of long work hours, a lack of supportive policies, and limited public facilities available for this purpose. As a society, we must do better to enable mothers who wish to breastfeed, especially working women, to do so at any time and in any place,” wrote Dr Chow.

Read the article

*********************************************

3. The EOC Makes Submissions to the Legislative Council on Equal Rights of Ethnic Minorities
   

On 20 July 2015, the EOC made two submissions to the Legislative Council relating to equal rights of ethnic minorities that are of concern to the Commission. The first was made to the Panel on Welfare Services Subcommittee on Strategy and Measures to Tackle Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence, and included the EOC’s views on support services provided to foreign domestic workers who are prone to sexual harassment and sexual violence in domestic setting. In our submission, the EOC outlined the work done by the Commission in this area, as well as the need to raise awareness of employers and employment agencies on the importance of preventing sexual harassment and creating a culture of respect for all.

The second submission, made to the Panel on Public Service, concerned the employment of ethnic minorities in the civil service. In the submission, the EOC made several recommendations to the Government to facilitate the hiring of more ethnic minorities in the civil service, including encouraging more bureaux and departments to review the language proficiency requirements and extend the adjustments to more ranks; hiring more people with third-language capabilities to ensure multilingual public services; and regularly updating the numbers, races and ranks of ethnic minority employees in different bureaux and departments as well as their measures to facilitate the employment of ethnic minorities.

Read the Submission to the Panel on Welfare Services Subcommittee on Strategy and Measures to Tackle Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence
Read the Submission to the Panel on Public Service

*********************************************

4. Hill of Ilha Verde Film Provides Insight into the Lives of People with Mental Illness
   

Hill of Ilha Verde, a film directed by King-wai CHEUNG,will be shown in Hong Kong in August and September 2015. The film examines one night in the life of a fourteen-year-old girl in search of her mother, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The first three screenings will be followed by Q&A with the Director and/or other relevant stakeholders including social workers who work on mental health issues, to raise public understanding about the experience of people with mental illness, as well as their families and carers. There will also be seminars and talks on mental illness and screening in schools in order to raise the community’s awareness and concerns about people with mental illness and their carers. The screening schedule can be found below.

*********************************************

5. The EOC Supports Accessible Art at “Cross All Borders”
   

The EOC is committed to ensuring that people with disability can equally participate and contribute to all aspects of life, including the arts. To show support to accessible art for all, the EOC Chairperson will attend “Cross All Borders: Hong Kong Festival Showcasing Artists with Disabilities 2015” organised by Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. The annual event will feature the talents of artists with disabilities, including 14 group or individual finalists who will compete for the top prizes. Please see details below.

*********************************************

Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases, speeches, media interviews, 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.