中文版

  1. EOC welcomes new Members

The EOC officeThe SAR Government announced today (26 April) the appointment of three new Members to the EOC, namely, the Hon CHENG Wing-shun, Vincent, MH, Ms Anna THOMPSON and Mr WONG Chi-him, Gary for a term of two years with effect from 20 May 2019.

Welcoming the newly appointed Members, Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, Chairperson of the EOC said, “The new appointees hail from different backgrounds and bring with them wide-ranging experience and unique expertise. I am confident that they will offer fresh insights and perspectives on anti-discrimination and equal opportunity issues, and I look forward to working with them closely to take the EOC's work to the next level.”

“We would also like to extend our gratitude to outgoing Members, The Hon CHOW Ho-ding, Holden, Dr Trisha LEAHY, BBS, and Prof Hon LEE Kok-long, Joseph, SBS, JP,” added Mr CHU. “Over the past years they have provided the Commission with valuable guidance and practical advice on our operations and strategies. Moving forward, I have no doubt they will carry on the spirit of diversity and inclusion in their future endeavours while continuing to support our mission.”

Read the EOC’s press release
Read the Government’s announcement

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  1. EOC launches new radio campaign to promote inclusion and understanding of Disability Discrimination Ordinance

Promotional visual of the radio campaign, featuring a bright yellow background with icons of PWDs and a curly rainbowFor the second time, the EOC is joining hands with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 1 on a campaign to promote inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) and understanding of the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO). Entitled “Embracing Social Inclusion Project”, the initiative has received the support of 22 rehabilitation groups and NGOs promoting the rights of PWDs across Hong Kong.

Under the campaign, there will be radio segments introducing the daily lives of PWDs, aired during the “Care for Disabled” programme every Sunday (1-2pm) from March to October 2019. There will also be a drama series on the accessible living of PWDs on the “Happy Daily” programme from 6-10 May 2019 (10:20am – 12nn), and interviews with celebrities and PWDs on disability issues on the “Yes We Can” programme, broadcast every Sunday (12 midnight to 2am) from December 2018 to October 2019. All of the radio segments and drama series can be listened live or found on RTHK’s website.

Each year, complaints about disability discrimination, particularly in the employment field, take up more than half – the largest share – of the complaints received by the EOC under the anti-discrimination ordinances. The EOC hopes that the radio campaign can shed light on the needs and challenges of PWDs, their frustrations as well as aspirations, with a view to motivating the community to embrace inclusion of PWDs.

Listen to the radio segments, drama series and interviews
Learn more about disability discrimination in employment

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  1. EOC gives legal assistance in pregnancy discrimination case

Close-up of a pregnant womanOn 12 April, the EOC issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480 in the District Court, on behalf of a foreign domestic helper (the Claimant) who claimed that her former employer (the Respondent) discriminated against her on the ground of her pregnancy by terminating her employment during her pregnancy.

Pregnancy discrimination means treating a woman less favourably because of her pregnancy. Under the SDO, it is unlawful for an employer to subject a woman to any detriment or dismiss her on the ground of her pregnancy.

Statistics show that pregnant women in Hong Kong still suffer considerable discrimination in the workplace. Indeed, pregnancy discrimination in the field of employment has consistently accounted for a significant proportion of SDO-related complaints received by the EOC. From 2016 to 2018, the EOC received 223 complaints on pregnancy discrimination, representing 32% of all complaints received during this period under the SDO.

By taking the above case to court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness of the rights of pregnant employees under the SDO, and remind employers that it is unlawful to discriminate against female employees, including foreign domestic helpers, on the ground of their pregnancy.

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  1. Corporations join in making meetings accessible to PWDs

Photo of the word "INCLUSION" written in blue Accessibility means so much more than the physical environment for people with disabilities (PWDs). To facilitate PWDs to lead a truly barrier-free, accessible and independent life, we must change the social environment and even the way we conduct our business, besides changing our mindset.

Back in October 2018, the EOC issued a letter to the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS), spelling out the legal obligations of companies under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) to facilitate the participation of PWDs in their public meetings. Specifically, companies are recommended to include in all meeting notices a reply slip for potential participants to indicate any special needs they might have. The practical solution would allow companies to plan ahead and make accommodating arrangements.

With the support of HKICS, the letter was circulated to nearly 10,000 people on the HKICS’s network. The message has reached the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, which is arranging for the very first time simultaneous sign language interpretation at its upcoming 2019 Annual General Meeting. The positive move will hopefully inspire more to adopt similar and other accommodation measures for PWDs, spreading change in the business sector and our society.

Read EOC’s op-ed article on the topic
About the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries

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  1. Rehabus Service celebrates 40th anniversary with “Tugging Rehabus Charity Challenge”

Poster of the celebratory event, featuring brightly coloured illustrations of shops and RehabusesTransportation provides a vital lifeline for people with disabilities (PWDs) and mobility difficulties, enabling them to access education, employment, healthcare, and to participate in community life. In particular, public transport services play an important part to facilitate PWDs to live independently and integrate into society.

For more than 40 years, the Rehabus service introduced by The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (HKSR) offers an alternative mode of public transit service for PWDs. First began with two donated buses in 1978, Rehabus has now expanded into a fleet of 164 buses, offering a range of services that include scheduled route service, dial-a-ride service, feeder service and even weekend recreational routes.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rehabus, which coincides with the 55th anniversary of The Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, the Joint Council is rolling out a special event with HKSR and Hong Kong Council of Social Service on 11 May 2019 at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The highlight is a “Tugging Rehabus Charity Challenge” in the morning, which invites teams of wheelchair users to pull a Rehabus. As for the afternoon, public can witness the launch of the “Inclusive Shops Charter Scheme”, and learn more about the history and development of Rehabus Service through the displays.

To find out more information about the event, please visit the website of the Joint Council. Alternatively, you may listen to the radio segment on the “Care for Disabled” programme on 28 April (1-2pm), which will introduce the event as part of the EOC’s “Embracing Social Inclusion Project”.

About the event
About Rehabus Service
About The Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities
Listen to “Care for Disabled”

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  1. EOC supports 2019 LGBT+ Inclusion Awards

Promotional banner of the Awards, featuring a group photo from the 2018 ceremonyFor another year, the EOC is a supporting organisation of the LGBT+ Inclusion Awards organised by Community Business. This year, the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will take place on 14 May at Hotel ICON in Tsim Sha Tsui, during which results of the LGBT+ Inclusion Index and winners of the LGBT+ Inclusion Awards 2019 will be announced.

Bringing together business leaders, professionals, LGBT+ advocates and champions, representatives of NGOs and community groups, and key stakeholders, the Gala Dinner is a fitting occasion to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on 17 May. It also offers an excellent opportunity to commend the accomplishments of the individuals, companies and organisations who have dedicated their efforts to promote LGBT+ equality in the workplace and community of Hong Kong.

Register for the Gala Dinner
About Community Business
View the Finalists’ List of the LGBT+ Inclusion Awards 2019
Read the EOC’s Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status

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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.