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EOC Commences Review of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance

11/12/1997

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announces today that it will commence its review of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) in January 1998.

Speaking at a press briefing after an EOC meeting, Dr. Fanny Cheung Mui-Ching, Chairperson of the EOC, said "It is now opportune to conduct a comprehensive review of all the provisions of the SDO and the DDO, one year after the full implementation of the two ordinances".

"The review will identify provisions in the SDO and the DDO which may require change in the light of operational experience" Dr. Cheung remarked.

"The Chinese text of the legislation will also be looked at" said Dr. Cheung.

The EOC expects that it will be in a position to give its final recommendations to the government by December 1998.

At the press briefing, Dr. Cheung also reported that for the period between 20 September 1996 to 30 November 1997, the EOC has received 6327 enquiries and 465 complaints from the public. Of the 465 complaints, 145 were for investigation and conciliation while 320 were 'other complaints'.

Of the 145 complaints for investigation and conciliation, 73 cases, (50%) have been concluded and the remaining 72 cases are still under investigation. Of the cases conciliated, the terms of settlement ranged from apology, re-instatement or monetary compensation.

Of the 320 'other complaints', 237 cases were resolved. In six cases in which the publishers have published discriminatory advertisements in contravention of section 43 of the SDO, the EOC had recently instituted legal proceedings. The percentage of discriminatory advertisements in November has been further reduced to less than 0.003.

Enquiry: EOC Hotline 25118211

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