In a recent interview with A Plus Magazine of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin expressed hopes that companies will not roll back their DEI commitments amid post-Covid uncertainty and global economic slowdown, stressing that resilience, innovation and growth often come from a diversity of perspectives. 

Speaking positively of the recent decision by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to set a deadline (31 December 2024) for every listed company to do away with single-gender boards, Mr Chu said that gender diversity should not be limited to the boardroom. There needs to be increased representation of women in leadership roles across the public and private sectors, and this will only materialise if employers relinquish stereotypical perceptions of women as homemakers and take active steps to create a family-friendly workplace for employees with caring responsibilities. 

Turning to what organisations can do to attract talents from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, Mr Chu mentioned the EOC’s Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter, which was launched in 2018 to build a network of DEI-conscious employers and encourage the exchange of best practices in promoting racial inclusion in the workplace. While the first batch of signatories were mostly international companies, including the Big Four firms, the Charter now boasts over 240 signatories which range from SMEs and non-profits to conglomerates and professional associations.

Looking ahead, Mr Chu said the EOC would also place greater emphasis on motivating employers to provide reasonable accommodation for differently abled talents and adopt universal design principles in the work environment. 

For more insights from Mr Chu about the EOC’s work and future plans, click the link below. 

• Read the interview