Letters | To boost Hong Kong ethnic minority students’ job prospects, start with Chinese language qualifications

I am writing in response to Ms Sky Siu’s letter published concerning racial discrimination in Hong Kong (“Hong Kong must leave no ethnic minority youth behind”, March 22). It is no secret that ethnic minority residents of Hong Kong experience discrimination in searching for jobs.

According to a report by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in 2020, although employers are aware of the Race Discrimination Ordinance, they admit that South Asian minority candidates are unlikely to be employed in most situations because of their race and lack of Chinese proficiency. A Hong Kong-Indian YouTuber, New Dellily, has also produced a video showing Hong Kong employers’ insufficient cultural understanding of South Asian residents.

In addition, the EOC report reveals that ethnic minority students are the most disadvantaged under the Hong Kong examination system. To succeed in Hong Kong, it is necessary for such students to be proficient in Chinese.

They are allowed to attempt GCSE or IGCSE Chinese exams at the end of secondary education if they have learnt Chinese for less than six years or they are taught in an adapted Chinese curriculum. These alternative exam results can be used for university admission and employment. As respondents in the report said, this policy is impractical because these exam results have low recognition among Hong Kong employers.

Overall, non-Chinese residents face unequal job opportunities due to racial discrimination. It is undeniable that Hong Kong is a Chinese-dominated society, but the rights and fair treatment of residents from ethnic minority groups should also be protected.