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The Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers

THE RACIAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CHARTER FOR EMPLOYERS

 

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is responsible for implementing the four anti-discrimination ordinances in Hong Kong, namely the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance and the Race Discrimination Ordinance.

A key strategic priority of the Commission is to ensure equal opportunities in employment for racial minorities. In order to encourage and promote racial diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace, we would like to provide employers with guidelines and best practices. The Charter aims to give interested employers a checklist of policies and practices they can implement to further their D&I objectives.

The Charter

  • Companies registered with Business Registration: the business must be in operation in Hong Kong for at least 1 year

  • Charitable organisations that are exempt from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance

  • Education establishments

  • Medical institutions

  • Chambers of commerce and professional bodies

  • Other organisations considered appropriate by the organiser
  • Support the principle of promoting racial diversity in the workplace

  • Work towards the Charter goals

  • Provide an update on actions taken after one year for renewal of signatory status
  • Identify oneself as a signatory of the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Charter for Employers

  • Use the dedicated Racial Diversity & Inclusion logo on your publications, job advertisements, etc.

  • Display the official signed Charter in the office

Q1. Do the signatories have to fulfill all the nine charter goals? 

  • They are encouraged to work towards the goals but it is NOT necessary to fulfill all to be eligible for signing. Working on some has already shown an employer’ commitment and support for the principles.

Q2. Do the signatories have to provide evidence of continuous progress for renewal? 

  • We understand that some signatories may have attained a relatively high level of racial diversity and inclusion; and further breakthrough in certain areas may not be easy to make. In other cases, small companies such as SMEs may face resource limitations in progressing toward some goals. Therefore, in the renewal exercise, continuous progress of a signatory will be highly appreciated but NOT a must.

Q3. What do the signatories require to report for renewal? Are there any indicators for the signatories to meet? 

  • The signatories are required to provide an annual update which serves more as a feedback collection exercise on which areas they find it challenging to work on and what progress or good practice they have achieved and could share with us. We are developing the annual feedback form with NO plan to introduce any scoring or indicators.

Q4. Do the signatories have to hire more ethnic minorities or lower the Chinese language requirement in recruitment? 

  • Racial diversity and inclusion is for everybody. Therefore, hiring more ethnic minorities is basically NOT a criteria or stated goal of the Charter. Companies without non-Chinese staff can still sign the Charter provided they have a racially inclusive policy and/or work on cultivating a race friendly culture among their Chinese staff. Having said that, efforts on promoting the employment opportunities for ethnic minorities is highly appreciated as it will be one of the most direct ways to achieve racial diversity and facilitate racial inclusion.

Q5. What are the steps ahead? 

  • Simply return the interest declaration form and then sign the Charter under an agreed arrangement of format and event.
  • If your company is interested in becoming a Charter signatory, please download the Declaration of Interest Form, which you can fill up and email back to eoc@eoc.org.hk or fax it to (852) 2511 8142

  • If you would like to get more information and/or set up a meeting with us, please fill in this Online Slip.

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Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 29 June 2023

 

 

Newspaper supplement published by Hong Kong Economic Times on 29 June 2023

 

Newspaper supplement published by Ming Pao on 29 June 2023

 

Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 17 December 2021

 

 

Newspaper supplement published by Hong Kong Economic Journal on 17 December 2021

 

Newspaper supplement published by Ming Pao on 17 December 2021

 

Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 19 March 2021

Newspaper supplement published by Hong Kong Economic Times on 19 March 2021

Newspaper supplement published by Ming Pao on 19 March 2021

Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 17 January 2020

Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 17 January 2020

Newspaper supplement published by South China Morning Post on 17 January 2020


Photo of Newspaper supplement published by Hong Kong Economic Times on 14.December.2018

Photo of Newspaper supplement published by Ming Pao on 14.December.2018

Newspaper supplement published by Hong Kong Economic Times on 14.December.2018

Newspaper supplement published by Ming Pao on 14.December.2018

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