In March 2023, the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers under the EOC surpassed 300 signatories, a notable milestone that demonstrates the commitment of a growing number of employers to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

The Charter, launched in December 2018, aims at encouraging and promoting racial D&I in the workplace. Participating employers, ranging from global and local conglomerates, SMEs and sport organisations to education institutions and charities, are provided with a checklist of policies and practices that they can implement to accomplish their D&I missions. 

As Hong Kong competes globally for talents in light of a shrinking workforce, attracting and retaining talents with different cultural backgrounds is the key to filling the gap. Hong Kong businesses should consider fully leveraging the strengths of talents from multicultural backgrounds.

However, racial stereotypes and prejudices remain major barriers that hinder people of different ethnicities from fully integrating into society. Employers should take a more proactive approach in driving racial inclusion, such as by implementing racial D&I policies within their organisations, encouraging engagements with racial minorities from underprivileged and underrepresented communities through recruitment, internship opportunities, on-the-job training, mentorship schemes and staff volunteering activities.  

We hope that the Charter’s expanded network will continue to foster cross-sectoral dialogues to come up with the best D&I corporate policies and practices so that we can build a pluralistic and inclusive society free of discrimination in the future.

• Learn more about the Charter
• Read the Charter pamphlet