But Patricia Chu is given only a one-year term as part of a 'transitional measure'
Patricia Chu Yeung Pak-yu was yesterday appointed chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission in what a senior official said was a 'transitional measure'.
Mrs Chu, a former deputy director of the Social Welfare Department, was given only a one-year term. Previous EOC chiefs have been given three years.
Her widely expected appointment came despite warnings from legislators, human rights academics and activists, who said that putting a former government official in the post would not help the EOC's image as an independent body.
The EOC has been embroiled in controversy since October when director of operations Patrick Yu Chung-yin, who worked as a human rights expert in Ireland, revealed he was sacked before he could start his job by Michael Wong Kin-chow, the then chairman.
A claim of unfair dismissal grew to include claims against Mr Wong's conduct as a judicial officer before he took up the EOC post. The scandal eventually led to his resignation, leaving the EOC's reputation more damaged than at any point in its seven-year history.
Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho Chi-ping yesterday defended Mrs Chu's appointment.
