Discrimination flagged by half in poll
About half of residents say discrimination based on race, age and residency status is prevalent in the city, a poll has found. It sparked renewed calls for unfair treatment on the grounds of citizenship to be outlawed.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) questioned 1,501 people aged 15 and above.
Some 55.2 per cent and 51.1 per cent said discrimination on the basis of residency status and race respectively was “very or quite prevalent”. The same impression was shared among 49.9 per cent of respondents in regards to age discrimination.
Residency status discrimination relates to the treatment of people from the mainland, as well as new immigrants.
Figures for those who felt discrimination was “not too prevalent or not prevalent at all” were 42 per cent, 47.3 per cent and 48.4 per cent for residency status, race and age discrimination respectively.
The commission said there was a lack of protection in the city from discrimination on the grounds of nationality, citizenship, or residency status and suggested the government consider introducing provisions under the Race Discrimination Ordinance.
“The EOC has conducted an internal study to explore how to strengthen the protection of antidiscrimination laws to deal with discrimination, harassment and vilification against mainland residents and new immigrants in Hong Kong,” chairman Ricky Chu
Man-kin said. “The EOC has submitted the findings of our report to the government and will continue to follow up with the government on this matter.”
There are currently four ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sex, pregnancy, marital status, disability, family status and race.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai told lawmakers last month his bureau would finish studies into extending laws to cover citizenship before the government’s term ended next June.
The watchdog said of those who had encountered discrimination or harassment in the past year, 54.3 per cent reported it was age-related, 20.8 per cent linked to sex discrimination and 16.2 per cent to sexual harassment.