ABSTRACT

The Race Discrimination Ordinance and its Code of Practice on Employment came into force in July 2009, prohibiting discrimination and harassment and covering the workplace. The Race Discrimination Ordinance is the fourth piece of anti-discrimination legislation enacted in Hong Kong, following the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, as amended and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance in 1996 and the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance in 1997. While provisions in the Race Discrimination Ordinance are generally similar to these other anti-discrimination ordinances, there are many provisions in it which are specifically enacted to deal with racial issues unique to Hong Kong's environment. The Race Discrimination Ordinance, enacted in 2008, and its Code of Practice on Employment, prohibit discrimination and harassment and cover employment. Racial harassment: If a person engages in an unwelcome, abusive, insulting, or offensive behavior because of another person's or his/her near relative's race, which makes him/her feel threatened, humiliated, or embarrassed.