On 19 February 2024, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin briefed Members of the Legislative Council Panel on Constitutional Affairs on the EOC’s work progress in 2023-24 and its key focus areas for 2024-25.

In his opening remarks, Mr Chu highlighted the EOC’s achievements in enforcing the four anti-discrimination ordinances. During 2023, the EOC handled 10 198 enquiries and 1 331 complaints. These figures were 17% and 13% higher, respectively, than those in 2022. Nevertheless, the EOC succeeded in surpassing its performance pledge. Out of the complaints concluded in 2023, 90% were handled within six months, much higher than the performance pledge of 75%, with an average handling time of 90 days for each complaint case. Of the 148 cases that underwent conciliation, 121 reached a settlement, translating into a success rate of 82%. Additionally, the EOC granted legal assistance to seven cases.

Aside from law enforcement, the EOC published a number of research studies on various issues, including mental health, employment difficulty of young persons with disabilities, and integrated education. Furthermore, the EOC tackled sexual harassment on university campuses, fostered the integration of ethnic minorities in various social domains, encouraged positive discussions of mental health needs in media coverage, and promoted the adoption of universal design in 2023.

Looking ahead, Mr Chu said the EOC will implement the work priorities set out in its Strategic Plan 2024-2026 in 2024-25. Accordingly, the EOC will focus on mainstreaming universal design through various initiatives, fostering further integration of ethnic minorities in education and employment, facilitating talent attraction by combating sexual harassment in the workplace and promoting family-friendly employment policies, and nurturing the younger generation to embrace the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

• Read the EOC’s submission to the Panel
• Read EOC Chairperson’s opening remarks (Chinese version only)