中文版

1

  1. Make your vote count in EOC’s colouring and drawing competition

Image illustrated by Dreamergo
Want some colours in your day? The EOC has received a staggering 600-plus entries for its Children’s Colouring and Drawing Competition, and the shortlisted works are now up on Facebook for your eyes to feast on. Don’t forget to give a “like” to your favourite in each of the three divisions – Pre-school, Lower Primary and Upper Primary. The picture with the most “likes”  in each division will win a popularity prize, consisting of a HK$1,000 cash award and a certificate. 

The competition, launched in July 2020, served as a pre-celebration of the Commission’s 25th anniversary next year. Pre-school and Lower Primary participants needed to fill in colours for a drawing by local illustrator Dreamergo, while Upper Primary entrants were required to draw an A4 size picture based on the theme, “mutual respect, friendship and inclusion”.

Cast your vote now with the link below.

Vote on our Facebook page
More about the competition
2


  1. Carers share woes on lack of support at RTHK interview

Photo of paper doll cut-outs forming a circle and holding hands
Children and elders deserve all the love they need, but is there anyone looking after the well-being of their carers? On 15 October 2020, Ms LEUNG Man-leung and Ms CHUNG Yuen-yee from Care for Carers, a local support network for carers, gave an interview on RTHK Radio 2’s programme, “Made in Hong Kong”. From the scarcity of affordable childcare options to prolonged waits for a place at residential care homes, the two guests talked about the challenges carers are facing, and the importance of allowing a time-out for them.

The episode was part of the “Equal Opportunities Diversity Project”, a year-long collaboration between the EOC and RTHK Radio 2 featuring guest interviews and promotional segments that shed light on not only the plight of different communities in Hong Kong, but also the positive change policies can bring about.

A great place for carers to chill and relax is Cafe C, an initiative under the InnoPower@JC programme to offer a space of rest and rejuvenation for people looking after elders. Workshops, interest classes and networking sessions are held from time to time for these carers to de-stress and just have some fun. Check out their recent video with the link below to learn more.

Listen to the episode (Cantonese only)
More about the radio project (Chinese only)
Watch the video about Cafe C (Cantonese only)
Like Care for Carers on Facebook
3


  1. 14-week extended statutory maternity leave to take effect on 11 December

Photo of a child kissing the stomach of a pregnant woman
Effective from 11 December 2020, Hong Kong’s statutory maternity leave will increase from 10 weeks to 14 weeks. The date was appointed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare in a published notice, following the gazettal of the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 in July this year.
 
Pay for the four additional weeks will be maintained at the current rate, i.e. four-fifths of the relevant employee’s average daily wages, subject to a $HK80,000 cap per employee. The Government has committed to reimbursing employers for the additional payment. Employers should stay tuned to announcements by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) about the details of the reimbursement scheme.
 
The extension will ensure our city’s compliance with the International Labour Organization’s recommendation, enabling new mothers to adapt to their parental role and return to the workplace with greater ease of mind. Importantly, it will encourage working women to breastfeed for a longer period of time, which benefits the health and development of their children. 

Indeed, the EOC welcomes the move, but there are still gaps in the law that could leave workng mothers vulnerable to unjust treatment. In 2016, the EOC submitted a report on the Discrimination Law Review to the Government, and one of its recommendations was to introduce a statutory right for women to return to their previous role after maternity leave, or a suitable alternative role on similar terms and conditions if the original position no longer exists. Click the link below to learn more.

Read the Ordinance
Bookmark the LWB website
More on the Discrimination Law Review
4


  1. HKCSS launches scheme to recognise age-friendly organisations

Logo of the scheme
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service is accepting applications for its “Age-Friendly Hong Kong” scheme until 31 December 2020. Offering awards at different levels, the scheme seeks to recognise businesses and organisations with a track record of rolling out policies, services or products in line with the principles laid down by the World Health Organization for age-friendly cities and communities.

For details, please click the link below.

Learn more (Chinese only)