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On International Women’s Day 2014, members of the Retail Commerce and Clothing Industries General Union (RCCIGU), the Building Management and Security Workers General Union (BMSWGU) and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) marched from Hong Kong Central to the Central Government Office. Marchers chanted loudly for “women-friendly working hours and women-friendly working environment” as they donned sad masks and held placards representing different jobs.

“Instead of reacting in a hostile manner or discriminating against women, we should have working hours that accommodates their needs,” said Cheung Lai Ha, Chair of HKCTU Women’s Affairs Committee and General Secretary of RCCIGU.

The petition submitted to the Central Government Office demands changes to the following:

• Hostile environments and sexual harassment:
  Employers shall supply safe and private changing rooms, rest rooms, and breast-feeding rooms for women workers. They should create a work environment that does not tolerate sexual harassment and put in place a comprehensive policy and channel to receive complaints.
  The government must modify the present sexual discrimination law to prohibit sexual harassment of customers.
   
• Discrimination:
  The current maternity protection law should be improved to include 14 weeks of maternity leave (according to the ILO convention) and 7 days of paternity leave.