Sacked Hong Kong EOC official files complaint with Labour Department over HK$900,000

A former top official at the Equal Opportunities Commission who found himself embroiled in controversy when he helped members of his church oppose anti-discrimination laws has filed a Labour Department complaint against the watchdog for stripping him of extra compensation that came with his role.

The official, one-time chief equal opportunities officer Josiah Chok Kin-ming, reportedly spoke at a function organised by his church, the Tsung Tsin Mission. There, he distributed sample letters opposing the reform of anti-discrimination laws he was involved in reviewing.

He was removed from the review in August following outcry from gay rights groups. Commission chairman Dr York Chow Yat-ngok accused him of affecting the watchdog's credibility.

Chok said yesterday his three-year contract had ended at the end of October and was not renewed. He was informed of the decision in July, and said it therefore had nothing to do with the church controversy.

But the incident has affected his gratuity, the compensation commission members receive in addition to their salaries for successfully completing their contracts. Chok, who worked at the commission for 18 years, said the body had asked him to agree to certain conditions in order to get the HK$890,000 gratuity he believes he is owed.

The conditions require him not to make any negative comments about the commission, including on social media; he must also issue a written apology over his actions at the church. Chok refused to agree to them.