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Meanwhile, the Government is pressing ahead with the setting up of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to oversee the implementation of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and Disability Discrimination Ordinance and to mediate in disputes involving discrimination.
A preparatory team was in place to expedite the necessary arrangements to establish the EOC, he said.
"It is our intention that the Commission should start operation in early 1996. We will seek funding from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in late November or early December. "The annual recurrent budget of the EOC is estimated to be $65 million at 1995-96 prices and the Commission is expected to have more than 60 staff," he said.
One of the tasks for the EOC will be the preparation of a code of practice on employment matters which will provide practical guidance to employers and employees to comply with the law.
"This code will be prepared in consultation with the relevant associations and concerned groups. The Commission will try its best to have the code ready as soon as possible after its establishment," Mr Suen added.
These two pieces of legislation prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy and disability. Sexual harassment has also been outlawed.
Turning to another important measure aimed at enhancing protection for the rights of the individual, Mr Suen said work was in hand to establish the Privacy Commissioner's Office which would have an initial staff of around 30 at an annual recurrent cost of $28 million.
"This will also require approval by the Finance Committee which we plan to seek in late November or early December. We hope to complete the establishment of the office in early 1996, and bring the legislation into force," he said.
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, enacted in August this year, provides for comprehensive protection of the individual's privacy with respect to personal data. It also safeguards the free-flow of personal data to Hong Kong from interference by countries which already have data protection laws.