The Commission will be empowered to make rules to direct persons relevant to a complaint to attend conferences, with a view to resolving the matter in dispute by conciliation.
Of course, he observed, the complainant might lodge a claim with the District Court direct or through the Commission, but the conciliatory function of the Commission should not be overlooked.
"According to overseas experiences, conciliation will help to reduce the number of disputes required to be resolved by proceedings before the District Court.
"We also anticipate that most complaints will be resolved in this process. The Commission will not seek to safeguard equality of opportunities between the two sexes at the expense of creating a litigatious social environment and causing a panic among the public."
Turning to the exceptions provided in the bill, Mr Suen said the Government believed that the legislation should not impose unreasonable restrictions on individual freedom or undue financial burdens on the community.
For instances, he said, there were exceptions to allow for situations where being a particular sex was a genuine occupational qualification and it would not be unlawful for an employer to provide different levels of specified benefits or allowances for employees with different marital status.
said.
"We believe that these exceptions will be acceptable to the public at large," he
As to small business employers' concerns over the possible problems arising from frivolous complaints and the cost implications arising from the need to comply with the legislation, Mr Suen said the Government was proposing to provide a grace period of five years to allow these establishments with not more than five employees to comply with the provisions of the bill on a gradual basis.
"This arrangement can provide small employees with the opportunity to better understand the operation of the bill and benefit from the experience of large business establishments.
"We hope the employers' associations will, co-operate with the Equal Opportunities Commission with a view to promoting better understanding of the legislation," he said.