The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (28 April 2023) announced the start of a bus body advertising campaign to promote racially friendly services that will run for six weeks. During this period, 100 buses will carry advertisements on their sides with messages encouraging goods and services providers to ensure they cater to the needs of diverse customers in an equal and friendly manner. The bus body advertising is a continuation of the 2022 campaign under the same tagline which ran in MTR cabins for 12 weeks. 

The advertisements feature four best practice suggestions which are “Expand product and service choices”, “Help with language needs”, “Make customers feel comfortable” and “Offer service of equal quality”. These reflect views obtained in a feedback collection exercise with more than 30 organisations of diverse racial groups in 2020 focusing on their retail and service experience in the city. 

The Race Discrimination Ordinance prohibits discrimination against a person on the ground of his/her race in the provision of goods, facilities and services. All such establishments and their staff are bound by the ordinance. 

In order to influence retailers and service providers to be more mindful in their dealings with people from the non-Chinese communities, the EOC has launched this advertising campaign to reach the population directly with a positive message of inclusion and equality. The advertisements depict four scenarios which include a retail shop, a supermarket, a bank and a restaurant with four individuals from diverse races in the foreground. 

EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin said, “No one should be judged on the basis of their colour or ethnicity while going about shopping or at a restaurant or accessing services of any kind. The city’s non-Chinese population may face challenges in these daily pursuits on account of language barriers and bias. We encourage all goods and service providers to open their minds and welcome diverse customers by making their products and services more racially friendly. Not only could this lead to business advantages and customer loyalty, it is also key to making Hong Kong society harmonious and inclusive. As the city is eager to receive visitors from outside, practicing openness and offering racially friendly service is all the more critical.”  

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Equal Opportunities Commission
28 April 2023
 

The Equal Opportunities Commission launched a bus body advertising campaign to promote racially friendly services.