The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced a Year 2007 educational initiative today (26 March 2007) by launching a new TV docu-drama series on discriminatory cases, entitled "A Mission for Equal Opportunities" (非常平等任務).  Co-produced by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the 6 episodes will be broadcast on TVB Jade channel every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning 28 March 2007.

Speaking at news conference, Mr. Raymond TANG, Chairperson of the EOC, said, "The values that underpin equal opportunity are diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. These are the key to ensure social harmony for our community. In promoting equal opportunities, we advocate the acceptance of individual differences, and the creation of a social environment where everyone is respected and supported to develop his or her potential."

"Hong Kong is a multi-racial society and we value our reputation of being an international city. To maintain our reputation, Hong Kong has to demonstrate its commitment to protect everyone from discrimination and harassment regardless of his or her race, colour and national origin by providing equal access to basic rights such as education, employment and accommodation. Racial integration as a subject, requires both legal regulation as well as public education to achieve racial harmony in our society."

"With the commencement of the legislative process for the Race Discrimination Bill, the EOC has started laying the groundwork for implementation through liaison and discussion with our stakeholders on the relevant issues and concerns. The production of this TV series is one of the major public educational initiatives taken by the Commission to promote racial harmony," Mr. TANG added.
 
"Apart from being good management practice, elimination of racial discrimination makes good business sense. More and more companies in Hong Kong are weaving diversity and equality practices into the fabric of their business operations. These include the adoption of "family-friendly" employment policies, which help improve morale and productivity of employees and also reduce the incidents of possible discrimination in the workplace," Mr. TANG explained.

"In this new educational TV series, we have highlighted pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, discrimination against people taking sick leave for the treatment of chronic illness. We have also promoted understanding of the different lifestyles of ethnic minorities and their needs for social integration," said Mr. TANG. 

Some of the episodes in the docu-drama series are based on real life cases. The programme will feature analysis of discriminatory acts and legal perspective of equal opportunity issues. 

To gauge public response to the series, EOC officers will man a telephone hotline after each episode from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on every Wednesday, from 28 March 2007 to 2 May 2007. The public are welcome to call the EOC Hotline at 2511-8211 to air their comments on the programme or ask questions about equal opportunities issues.

Guests from different ethnic minority groups and celebrities were present at the media conference to promote the launching of the TV series.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Mariana LAW at 2106-2226.