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On the Code of Practice on Employment under the SDO, the spokesman said it was prepared and issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
"The Code provides practical guidelines to facilitate compliance by both employers and employees with the Ordinance. Non-compliance with the Code, although not unlawful by itself, is admissible as evidence in court," he said.
The spokesman said aggrieved persons may seek the assistance of the EOC which has started full operation since September 1996.
"The Commission will, as required under the SDO, handle complaints, conduct investigations and encourage conciliation between parties in dispute to effect a settlement as far as possible," he said, adding that the EOC may also provide legal or other forms of assistance to those aggrieved,
Meanwhile, a separate commencement notice which brings the Sex Discrimination (Proceedings by Equal Opportunities Commission) Regulation into immediate operation is also gazetted today. The Regulation was approved by the Legislative Council on December 18.
"The Regulation will enable the EOC to bring court proceedings in its own name when it appears to the Commission that the claim is well founded, and where the case raises a question of principle and it is in the interest of justice to do so," the spokesman said.
He noted that the Regulation will also enable the EOC in any such proceedings to seek a declaration by the court that the act, which is the subject of the proceedings, is an unlawful act or seek an injunction in respect of such act or both.
End
Local workers urged to register for ACP jobs
Local construction workers interested in airport-related jobs are urged to register as soon as possible at any of the nine Labour Department's Local Employment Service offices and the Special Placement Team (SPT) for the Airport Core Programme as well as the Airport Core Programme Job Centre in Mong Kok.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said today (Friday) that more than 2,900 airport-related job vacancies would need to be filled within the next three months under the Special Recruitment Campaign for the new airport and related projects.