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Hence, another important function of the Commission is to develop a code of practice, which will provide detailed guidance to assist members of the community to comply with the legislation, for example, by assisting employers to formulate their sexual own equal opportunities policies, or to draw up detailed guidelines on harassment behaviours so as to provide a basis for determining if a certain act is unlawful.
In fact, such codes are very common overseas, Mr Suen said.
One such example is the "Codes of Practice on Measures to Combat Sexual Harassment" issued by the Commission of European Communities in 1991.
And the bill also stipulates that the Commission shall consult employers' and employees' groups in drawing up the codes to ensure that they meet practical needs.
Equal Opportunities mean that both women and men should have the same chance and option to exercise their rights in every aspect of social life.
Mr Suen said: "We believe that the concept of equality is best achieved by providing the two sexes with equal opportunities rather than setting a quota and to lay down rigid rules which will only hinder the operation of a free market."
He reiterated that the Government subscribed to the principle of equality between women and men and would make every effort to promote gender equality.
"To eliminate sex discrimination, we have to arouse public awareness of this issue, encourage them to actively participate in discussions and develop community support for the principle of sex equality.
"Furthermore, we are well aware that such a sensitive issue may give rise to strong reactions from the community, and as such we have been dealing with it carefully and prudently.
"The bill is tailor-made for Hong Kong and provides for the establishment of an independent body to put the provisions into practice as well as taking up the essential task of educating the public."
Any comments on the bill can be sent to the Bills Committee of the Legislative Council or the Home Affairs Branch.
"I sincerely hope that there will be an early passage of the bill so that the Equal Opportunities Commission can be established in Hong Kong as soon as possible and the concept of sex equality brought to fruition," he added.
End/Tuesday, December 13, 1994
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