XN000022-1994-06-03 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1994

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GOVERNMENT TO BAN SEX DISCRIMINATION

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH LEGISLATION PROHIBITING SEX DISCRIMINATION IN HONG KONG.

DRAFTING OF THIS LEGISLATION WHICH WILL ESTABLISH THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID.

THE DECISION WAS ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT A MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK.

PRESS

WAS

ANNOUNCING THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER CONSULTATION ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN AT A CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, MR SUEN SAID THE MOVE GOVERNMENT'S ANSWER TO THE WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THESE ISSUES DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE CONDUCTED FROM AUGUST TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

TWO

"THE LEGISLATION WOULD CONTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN AREAS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING RECRUITMENT, PAY AND TRAINING; EDUCATION; AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.

MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT SUCH LEGISLATION SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE AND YET NOT STIFLE FREE COMPETITION IN THE LABOUR MARKET.

EMPLOYERS,

"WE WILL ADDRESS THE CONCERNS ALREADY EXPRESSED BY IN

PARTICULAR THOSE IN SMALL BUSINESSES, OVER PROBLEMS WHICH COULD ARISE FROM FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS AND COST IMPLICATIONS.

THROUGH FULL

"THESE CONCERNS COULD HOPEFULLY RE ALLAYED CONSULTATION WITH EMPLOYERS DURING THE DRAFTING STAGE, HE ADDED.

AS FOR THE PROPOSED STATUTORY EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION TO BE SET UP TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEX DISCRIMINATION LAW ♫ MR BUEN SAID THE COMMISSION WOULD WORK TOWARDS THE ELIMINATION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION,

"ITS FUNCTIONS WOULD BE TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE WORKING OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AGAINST SEX

ΤΟ DISCRIMINATION;

RECEIVE COMPLAINTS, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION; AND TO DEVELOP CODES OF PRACTICE AND CONDUCT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ON GENDER ISSUES.

MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO DECIDED TO APPROACH THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO SEEK THE EXTENSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION WOMEN (CEDAW) TO HONG KONG,

THIS DECISION IS ALSO TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE STRONG EXPRESSED BY THE COMMUNITY DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.

AGAINST

CALLS

/"SINCE