XN000022-1992-06-24 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1992

THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM THE CONVENTION

ARE

COMPLEX.

MR LAI SAID IT MIGHT LEAD ΤΟ THE ENACTMENT OF ANTI- DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION APPLYING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH MIGHT CREATE PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.

HE SAID A MAJOR STEP AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION HAD BEEN TAKEN IN JUNE LAST YEAR WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.

THAT ORDINANCE, TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED AMENDMENT ΤΟ THE LETTERS PATENT, PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AGAINST WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, AS WELL AS DISCRIMINATORY LAWS AGAINST WOMEN.

MR LAI SAID IT WAS STILL PREMATURE FOR HIM TO SAY THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE AS IT WAS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF DELIBERATION,

AND

THE 'WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION MANPOWER, WAS SET UP IN MARCH THIS YEAR WITH AN AIM то ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER, IN SO FAR AS EMPLOYMENT MATTERS ARE CONCERNED, CEDAW SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.

IN

IT ALSO TRIED TO ASCERTAIN THE EXTENT TO WHICH DISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT BASED ON SEX IS A PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND TO CONSIDER WHAT GOVERNMENT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO TACKLE IT.

THE SECRETARY SAID THE WORKING GROUP HAD CONSULTED RELEVANT ACADEMIC STUDIES, ESTABLISHED DIALOGUE WITH INTERESTED WOMEN'S GROUPS AND WAS EXAMINING A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS RELATED TO SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT.

HE ALSO SAID A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY ON THE NEED TO ESTABLISH A WOMEN'S COMMISSION IN HONG KONG.

IN

A RECENT IN-HOUSE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, MEMBERS WERE IN FAVOUR OF THE SETTING UP OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

HE SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS CONVEYED TO THE ADMINISTRATION IN MAY AND WAS AT PRESENT BEING CAREFULLY STUDIED.

0

MEASURES IN PLACE TO COMBAT CRINE IN NEW HOUSING ESTATES

* * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE POLICE WERE TAKING A NUMBER OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO TACKLE TRIAD AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

THESE INCLUDE UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS WITH OFFICERS POSING AS TENANTS OR DECORATORS, AND TELEVISION PUBLICITY TO ENCOURAGE AFFECTED TENANTS TO REPORT TO THE POLICE.

/IN A

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