Equal Opportunities Commission
2021
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EOC Releases Findings of A Study on Potential Model for Accreditation and Regulation of Interpreters and Translators in Ethnic Minority Languages in Hong Kong
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (25 December 2021) released the study findings of “A Study on Potential Model for Accreditation and Regulation of Interpreters and Translators in Ethnic Minority Languages in Hong Kong”.
25/12/2021
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EOC Chairperson Visits a Mock Polling Station
With the 2021 Legislative Council General Election coming up this Sunday (19 December 2021), Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) visited a mock polling station today (14 December 2021) to review the facilitation measures for electors with special needs.
14/12/2021
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EOC Launches the “Good Tenants Come in All Ethnicities” Bus Body Advertising Campaign to Promote Racial Equality in Tenancy
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) launched a bus body advertising campaign entitled “Good Tenants Come in All Ethnicities” last week to promote racial equality in tenancy. This is a continuation of the campaign that ran in MTR cabins from May to July this year. The advertisements will be displayed on 50 buses along various routes for three weeks.
15/11/2021
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EOC Releases Findings of Equal Opportunities Awareness Survey 2021
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (11 November 2021) released the findings of the Equal Opportunities Awareness Survey 2021, which found that about 90% of the general public perceived the issues relating to “sexual harassment” and “disability” were of high importance in the forthcoming equal opportunity (EO) work. In addition, half of the general public considered age discrimination were “very/quite prevalent” in Hong Kong. Among those responding general public who had experienced discrimination or harassment during 12 months before enumeration, relatively more people (54.3%) had experienced age discrimination.
11/11/2021
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EOC Gives Legal Assistance in a Sexual Harassment Case
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (5 November 2021) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480 in the District Court, on behalf of a woman (the Claimant) who alleges that her former male colleague (the Respondent) sexually harassed her in the workplace on a number of occasions, including making unwelcome physical contact such as stroking her back and giving her unwelcome attention of a sexual nature by staring at her chest when her clothes got wet in the rain during a workplace event.
05/11/2021
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EOC Expresses Concerns about Sexual Harassment Incidents Allegedly Occurred on Campus
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is deeply concerned about a recent media report published today (1 November 2021) that a male student was allegedly caught taking upskirt photos of his female schoolmates and female teachers at their school.
01/11/2021
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EOC Welcomes the Passage of the Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2021
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the passage of the Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2021 (“Bill”) in the Legislative Council today (30 September 2021).
30/09/2021
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The EOC Congratulates Interns from Racial Minority Communities and Companies on Successful Completion of EMerging Talent Internship Programme 2021
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is proud to have supported The Zubin Foundation’s EMerging Talent Internship Programme 2021 which culminated yesterday (29 September 2021) with an event to acknowledge the companies and interns who took part in the programme. The EOC congratulates the non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) student interns as well the companies which provided these valuable opportunities to them.
30/09/2021
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EOC Implements Vaccination and Regular Testing Arrangements for Staff Members
To safeguard the health of staff members and service users against the COVID virus and its mutant strains, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has implemented the vaccination in lieu of regular testing (VRT) arrangement with immediate effect.
06/09/2021
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EOC Launches New TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interest Titled “End Discrimination against Breastfeeding Women”
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced today (1 August 2021) that a new series of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) titled “End Discrimination against Breastfeeding Women” will begin to broadcast tomorrow (2 August 2021). Furthermore, in support of the annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the EOC has rolled out publicity campaigns on its Facebook and LinkedIn pages to explain how anti-discrimination law protects women in Hong Kong from discrimination and harassment based on breastfeeding, and to engage Facebook users to show support for breastfeeding.
01/08/2021
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The EOC Welcomes the Release of the Ombudsman Report on Government’s Arrangements for Engaging Outside Interpretation Services
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the release of the Direct Investigation Report by the Office of the Ombudsman on Government’s Arrangements for Engaging Outside Interpretation Services yesterday (22 July 2021).
23/07/2021
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The EOC Gives Legal Assistance in a Sexual Harassment Case
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (20 July 2021) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480 in the District Court, on behalf of a foreign domestic helper (the Claimant) who alleges that her former employer (the Respondent) sexually harassed her on many occasions during the course of her employment with him, including entering the bathroom naked while the Claimant was taking a shower; masturbating in front of the Claimant; walking around the residence naked in the Claimant’s presence; and making unwelcome sexual requests and remarks to the Claimant.
20/07/2021
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EOC Promotes Equal Opportunities through Funding Programme
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) promotes equal opportunities through its Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities.
02/07/2021
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EOC Launches Citywide Publicity Campaign on Protection against Breastfeeding Discrimination and Harassment
Starting from 19 June 2021, women in Hong Kong will be protected from discrimination and harassment on the grounds of breastfeeding under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. The relevant amendments to the Ordinance were made through the Discrimination Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2020 and the Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, passed by the Legislative Council in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
18/06/2021
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The EOC Provides “Vaccination Leave” for Staff after COVID-19 Vaccination in Support of Government's “Early Vaccination for All” Campaign
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has released today (2 June 2021) the detailed arrangements on the COVID-19 vaccination leave for the Commission’s employees, which is implemented in support of the Government’s “Early Vaccination for All” campaign. The arrangements are:
02/06/2021
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EOC Welcomes the Provision of Vaccination Leave for Government Employees
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the announcement by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (31 May 2021) on the provision of leave for Government employees who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines. The EOC will make similar arrangements for its employees and is carefully examining the implementation details.
31/05/2021
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EOC Launches New TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interest on Protection against Sexual Harassment, Disability Harassment and Racial Harassment in Common Workplaces
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) launched a major media initiative today (27 May 2021), unveiling its latest TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) titled “Create a Harmonious Workplace - Report and End Harassment” to raise awareness of the protection against sexual harassment, disability harassment and racial harassment in common workplaces under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) and Race Discrimination Ordinance (RDO) respectively.
27/05/2021
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One Hundred and Sixty Organisations in Hong Kong Receive Recognition as Equal Opportunity Employers
Today (14 May 2021) the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) officially announced the results of its inaugural Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme at an awards presentation ceremony in the EOC office. Officiating at the ceremony as the Guest of Honour was the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick TSANG Kwok-wai, IDSM, JP.
14/05/2021
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The EOC Launches the“Good Tenants Come in All Colours” MTR Advertising Campaign to Promote Racial Equality in Tenancy
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (6 May 2021) announced the launch of an MTR advertising campaign entitled “Good Tenants Come in All Colours” to promote racial equality in tenancy that will run for 12 weeks. During this time, three MTR trains carrying advertisements next to saloon windows with messages encouraging landlords and estate agents to be welcoming to tenants of all races will run on the Island Line, Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line.
06/05/2021
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The EOC Welcomes New Members and Extends Gratitude to Outgoing Members
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the announcement by the Government today (30 April 2021) on the appointment of five new Members to the Commission by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They will serve a two-year term with effect from 20 May 2021. The newly appointed Members are:
30/04/2021
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Appointment of Members of Equal Opportunities Commission (Issued by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)
The Government announced today (April 30) that the Chief Executive has appointed five new members and re-appointed nine incumbent members to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for a term of two years with effect from May 20, 2021.
30/04/2021
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EOC Strongly Condemns Apple Daily for Misreporting Its Press Statement
On the evening of 14 April 2021, it came to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)’s attention that an online report by Apple Daily regarding the Government’s proposal for a “vaccine bubble” scheme had misquoted an EOC statement by replacing its reference to COVID-19 with the “Wuhan virus”. Despite the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 as the official name of the virus as early as in February 2020, Apple Daily, along with an obstinate few, has continued to use a stigmatising label consistently condemned by the EOC.
15/04/2021
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EOC Responds to Media Enquiries
In response to media enquiries about whether the introduction of the “vaccine bubble” scheme and the different treatments for COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated employees/customers by employers/service providers constitute disability discrimination, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (14 April 2021) has made the following response:
14/04/2021
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The EOC Commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2021
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) 2021 (21 March), an online forum “Looking Beyond the Pandemic” will be co-hosted by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) with Caritas Youth & Community Service. The EOC also announces a new milestone reached by the EOC’s Racial Diversity & Inclusion Charter for Employers. With 150 organisations now having signed the Charter, the EOC strongly believes that racial equality and inclusion in workplaces is a goal many are working towards.
19/03/2021
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EOC Welcomes Passage of Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2020
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the passage of the Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2020 in the Legislative Council today (17 March 2021).
17/03/2021
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The EOC Welcomes the Judgment Handed down by the Court of Appeal on 26 February 2021
The Equal Opportunities Commission (“the Commission”) today (3 March 2021) welcomes the latest judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal (i.e. CAMP 51/2019: Chok Kin Ming (束健銘) v. Equal Opportunities Commission（平等機會委員會）on 26 February 2021, and wishes to highlight that the courts involved of different levels take the view that, among other things:
03/03/2021
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EOC Calls on All Employers to Avoid Discriminating against Employees Based on their Race or Disability
A number of ethnic minority concern groups and individuals have recently expressed concern to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) over incidents of employers in the construction industry reportedly banning South Asian workers from going to work, even after they had tested negative for COVID-19. On the contrary, Chinese workers and those of other ethnicities with negative results were allowed to resume work. The EOC calls on all employers to avoid discriminating against employees based on their race or disability.
10/02/2021
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EOC Gives Legal Assistance in a Disability Discrimination Case
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (28 January 2021) issued legal proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO), Cap. 487 in the District Court, on behalf of a person (the Claimant) who previously worked for a company (the Respondent) as an officer carrying out clerical and accounting duties.
28/01/2021
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EOC Releases Report on the Formulation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies of National Sports Associations in Hong Kong 2020 and Launches the Anti-Sexual Harassment Hotline
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (25 January 2020) released findings from its “Report on the Formulation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies (Anti-SH Policies) of National Sports Associations (NSAs) in Hong Kong 2020”. The findings indicated a significant improvement on the formulation and transparency of Anti-SH Policies among NSAs, compared to the previous similar Studies conducted by the EOC in 2014 and 2018. The EOC has also announced the launch of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Hotline at 2106 2222 manned by its newly established Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit (ASHU) to provide a first port of call service for those affected by sexual harassment.
25/01/2021
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EOC Gives Legal Assistance in a Sexual Harassment Case
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (22 January 2021) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480 in the District Court, on behalf of a woman (the Claimant) who worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant run by her previous employer (the First Respondent). She claimed that her former colleagues (the Second Respondent and Third Respondent), who worked as chefs in the restaurant, sexually harassed her in the workplace on a number of occasions by making sexually abusive remarks to her or in her presence; and the aforementioned sexual conduct of the Second Respondent and the Third Respondent also created a hostile or intimidating work environment for her. She further claimed that the First Respondent, as the employer of the Second Respondent and the Third Respondent, was vicariously liable for their acts of sexual harassment because he failed to take any reasonably practicable steps to prevent them from doing such acts.
22/01/2021
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EOC Promotes Equal Opportunities through Funding Programme
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) promotes equal opportunities through its Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities.
19/01/2021
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EOC Welcomes the Release of the Public Consultation Report on Proposed Introduction of Offences of Voyeurism, Intimate Prying and Non-consensual Photography of Intimate Parts and Related Offences by the Security Bureau
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (8 January 2021) welcomes the release of the Public Consultation Report on Proposed Introduction of Offences of Voyeurism, Intimate Prying and Non-consensual Photography of Intimate Parts and Related Offences by the Security Bureau. The EOC is pleased that the Government is in parallel working on the drafting of the proposed amendment bill.
08/01/2021
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