Hong Kong is committed to meeting its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and taking measures to reinforce people's protection against discrimination and promote racial equality.
This was the message from Deputy Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Arthur Ho today at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
"To strengthen the legislative framework, the Race Discrimination Ordinance became fully operational [in July]. Related rules and regulations have also been enacted and a code of practice has been put in place to provide guidance to employers and employees for compliance with the new law," he said.
"The ordinance binds all departments of the Government, including law enforcement agencies."
The Government has been working to enhance support to ethnic minorities and facilitate their integration into the community, including the formation of four support service centres for ethnic minorities, Chinese language support centres, and the provision of vocational training.
He also addressed concerns about rules and practices regarding foreign domestic helpers, saying they enjoy the same statutory rights and benefits as local workers. They are further protected by a minimum allowable wage, free passage, free accommodation and food, and free medical treatment provided by their employers.
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