Ricky Chu Man-kin

Opinion | Allowing religious head coverings for barristers a big step for diversity in Hong Kong

The move sets an important precedent for workplaces to fight dress code discrimination and model inclusive values and culture, and to effect change beyond simply complying with the law

Reading Time:3 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Legal practitioners feel the heat outside the Court of Final Appeal building in Central on May 29. Photo: Nora Tam

Ricky Chu Man-kin

Published: 2:15pm, 18 Sep 2021

A small yet significant development took effect on September 1. “Hong Kong barristers given option of forgoing wigs for religious head coverings,” read a Post headline about the announcement.

I would not be surprised if most readers missed the story as it was not front-page news. However, for those directly affected by the change and the many others working with people who face similar issues, it is momentous.

I would like to congratulate the chief justice and Bar Association for securing this exemption, which is a big step for cultural inclusion in a profession seen as highly traditional.

We hope the high-profile example set by the Bar Association will be suitably promoted and given visibility so it can have a trickle-down effect on other organisations and employers. It sets a precedent and is one that should be emulated.

Incidents of unfavourable treatment caused by a dress code, and specifically head coverings, are frequently brought to our notice. The Equal Opportunities Commission has intervened in a case where Pakistani Muslim students in an evangelical Christian secondary school were stopped from wearing headscarves and subjected to disciplinary action.

A survey carried out by local NGO Treats a few months ago among ethnic minorities in Hong Kong cited examples of an employee being berated and banned from wearing a headscarf and others being turned down for job interviews despite being qualified. Respondents reported facing comments about their race, culture and clothing in the workplace.