Welcome Message
Welcome to the official website of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
As a statutory body independent from the Government, the EOC is tasked to enforce four anti-discrimination laws in Hong Kong, namely the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance, and the Race Discrimination Ordinance. From conciliating disputes to representing victims in court, empirical research to policy advocacy, corporate training to public education, we strive to dismantle prejudice, facilitate redress for discrimination, and promote values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
On this website, you will learn more about your rights and obligations under the anti-discrimination laws. You will also find information on our services, studies, events and programmes.
At some point in your life, you or someone you know may have fallen victim to discrimination at school, in the workplace or at a shop, whether on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, family status or race. Indeed, discrimination is not an abstract concept. It happens in everyday settings, and its harm is real.
The EOC is here to turn that around and, when needed, to question the status quo, propose legal reform, and stand up for causes even if they are deemed unpalatable by segments of society.
If you have thoughts on how we can improve the site, be sure to let us know. We look forward to working with you in making Hong Kong a pluralistic and inclusive society we can all take pride in.
Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, IDS
Chairperson
Equal Opportunities Commission
Equal Opportunities Legislation
What is The EOC?
Equal Opportunities Legislation
- Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480);
- Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487);
- Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 527); and
- Race Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 602).
(1) Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480) (SDO)
- employment
- education
- provision of goods, services and/or facilities
- disposal and/or management of premises
- eligibility to vote for and to be elected or appointed to advisory bodies
- participation in clubs
- activities of the Government
In addition to protecting against discrimination, the SDO also protects a person from sexual harassment and victimization in prescribed areas of activities, including employment, education, provision of goods, services and/or facilities, disposal and/or management of premises, and membership of clubs.
In relation to the provision of goods, services and/or facilities, the SDO protects service providers from sexual harassment and harassment on the ground of breastfeeding by customers (and vice versa). This is so even if the harassment took place outside Hong Kong but on Hong Kong registered aircraft and ships.
The SDO renders sexual harassment and harassment on the ground of breastfeeding between workplace participants at a common workplace unlawful, even where there is no employment or employment-like relationship between them. A "workplace participant" covers persons working in the same workplace, being an employer, an employee, a contract worker, a principal, a commission agent, a partner, an intern and a volunteer.
The SDO protects members or prospective members of a club from sexual harassment and harassment on the ground of breastfeeding by the management of the club.
(2) Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) (DDO)
- employment
- education
- provision of goods, services and/or facilities
- access to premises
- disposal and/or management of premises
- participation in clubs and sporting activities
- activities of the Government
Protection is also extended in respect of discrimination on the ground of an imputed disability. It is unlawful for a person who discriminates against or harasses another person on the basis of a mistaken perception that a person has a disability.
Disability harassment and victimization are unlawful when committed in the areas of activities prescribed in the DDO. The DDO also protects people against vilification on the ground of disability.
The DDO renders disability harassment between workplace participants at a common workplace unlawful, even where there is no employment or employment-like relationship between them. The definition of a workplace participant is the same as under the SDO and RDO.
The DDO protects members or prospective members of a club from disability harassment by the management of the club.
(3) Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 527) (FSDO)
The areas of activities for which a person may lodge a complaint under the FSDO are the same as those under the SDO, which include
- employment
- education
- provision of goods, services and/or facilities
- disposal and/or management of premises
- eligibility to vote for and to be elected or appointed to advisory bodies
- participation in clubs
- activities of the Government
(4) Race Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 602) (RDO)
- employment
- education
- provision of goods, services and/or facilities
- disposal and/or management of premises
- eligibility to vote for and to stand for election to public bodies, etc.
- participation in clubs
Protection is also extended in respect of discrimination on the ground of race by imputation. It is unlawful for a person who discriminates against or harasses another person on the basis of a mistaken perception of the race of the other person.
The RDO renders racial harassment between workplace participants at a common workplace unlawful, even where there is no employment or employment-like relationship between them. The definition of a workplace participant is the same as under the SDO and DDO.
In relation to the provision of goods, services and/or facilities, the RDO protects service providers from racial harassment by customers (and vice versa). This is so even if the harassment took place outside Hong Kong but on Hong Kong registered aircraft and ships.
What Can The EOC Do For You?
Equal Opportunities Commission
Address | 16/F., 41 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong |
Phone | (852) 2511-8211 |
SMS | 6972566616538 (For people with hearing impairment/ speech difficulties) |
eoc@eoc.org.hk (For general enquiries only. Please see Important Message here.) | |
Office Hours | Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. |