On 20 March 2023, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin attended a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Constitutional Affairs to present an update on the work progress made by the EOC in 2022-23 and its focuses for 2023-24.

In the first 10 months of 2022-23, the EOC handled 7 411 enquiries and received 749 complaints for investigation. When handling complaints, the EOC would first encourage the parties to settle the dispute through conciliation. During the period, 119 out of the 139 cases that underwent conciliation reached a settlement, translating into a high success rate of 86%, as compared to an average of 60% to 70% in previous years. The EOC managed to secure HK$6.41 million of monetary payment for complainants through conciliation.

Despite grave challenges imposed by the epidemic last year, the EOC continued to initiate an array of research projects, activities and campaigns to raise public awareness of equal opportunities. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the EOC embarked on a citywide campaign “Equal Opportunities Month: Together for an Equal and Inclusive Hong Kong” to mobilise different sectors to foster a more caring and inclusive society. 

On the education front, the EOC inaugurated the first-ever Equal Opportunities Youth Ambassador Programme tailored to tertiary students, with the purpose of cultivating our younger generation with the values of diversity and inclusion. The Youth Ambassadors can deepen their understanding of the needs and situations of different groups by participating in various experiential and mentoring activities, including jogging with athletes with disabilities and visiting religious establishments and a training centre for guide dog.

“Some communities in our society, such as people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, are still feeling the pinch as the epidemic over the past years had exacerbated their plights. Many people have lost their jobs and are struggling financially,” Mr Chu said during the Panel meeting, “The EOC considers it imperative that these communities enjoy the equal rights to take part in the society’s development. Looking ahead to 2023-24, the EOC will proactively promote the equal opportunities of the disadvantaged groups in education, employment, and access to services and facilities through enforcement, policy advocacy and education.”

• Read the EOC’s submission to the Legislative Council
• Read Mr Chu’s speech at the Panel meeting (Chinese only)