Half of Hong Kong’s eight public universities increase spousal blessings to employees in same-sex marriages, while 3 have uncertain policies and one does now not, HKFP has determined.
The metropolis’s eight public universities funded with the aid of the University Grants Committee – a central authority advisory body – supplied legitimate responses over email.
University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee. Photo: Stand News.
Out of those surveyed, four stated that they amplify spousal advantages to personnel in equal-sex marriages supplying that documentary proof is given, including a felony marriage certificate. Benefits encompass clinical and dental coverage.
Three universities do now not have a clean coverage, and the final institution stated that it does not comprehend same-intercourse spouses because of present day Hong Kong regulation.
LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong are constrained. There aren’t any anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation and identical-intercourse marriage is not regarded. But a 2017 ballot performed through Hong Kong University’s Centre for Comparative and Public Law discovered that over half of of Hongkongers assist identical-intercourse marriage – a 38 in line with cent rise from 2013.
‘Irrespective of gender’
Of the colleges that increase spousal advantages to employees in identical-intercourse marriages, the City University of Hong Kong informed HKFP that they increase advantages irrespective of sexual orientation or gender, supplied that the spouse does no longer get hold of the equal advantages from his or her very own company.
“The University’s definition of partner refers to a criminal spouse. To set up the spouse’s eligibility for University advantages, the body of workers member is required to publish legitimate criminal documents, e.G, marriage certificate. Gender isn’t stipulated in the definition of spouse,” said a representative of City University.
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) also told HKFP: “HKBU is dedicated to presenting a being concerned and inclusive running environment in which differences and choices are reputable. For an worker who is offered three hundred and sixty five days or above appointment, the University affords medical benefits to his or her felony partner as supported by using a prison marriage certificate, no matter gender.”
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology likewise offers remuneration applications to the felony spouses of personnel, regardless of sexual orientation.
Hkust
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Photo: Wikicommons.
Additionally, the Chinese University of Hong Kong confirmed that it provides medical benefits to the felony spouses of employees in equal-intercourse relationships.
Alfred Ip, Chairman of NGO Pink Alliance, informed HKFP: “It is ideal information that four universities are taking the lead in recognising identical-sex marriages. They are in excellent business enterprise with many other prestigious tertiary education establishments round the world.”
“Pink Alliance also finds it unlucky that public establishments are taking the lead on this problem as opposed to our government, that’s unluckily gradual to provide even basic felony protections towards discrimination for the LGBTI network. They trail in preference to respond to the swelling tide of public guide for identical treatment for all.”
Undetermined
Three different public universities in Hong Kong do no longer have a clear policy on personnel in equal-sex marriages.
Lingnan University. Photo: Wikimedia Commons via Wing1990hk.
Lingnan University. Photo: Wikimedia Commons thru Wing1990hk.
Lingnan University presents clinical and dental advantages to the spouses of personnel, however declined to clarify whether or not this extends to criminal identical-sex marriages: “We have by no means 婚姻介紹所邊間好 dealt with cases associated with legally married equal-intercourse spouses of personnel before,” a university representative advised HKFP.
See additionally: HKFP Investigation: As Hong Kong’s personal clubs open their doorways to homosexual couples, progress remains sluggish for a few
A consultant from the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) informed HKFP that they provide fringe benefits to the prison spouses of staff individuals, which includes access to their libraries and sports activities facilities.
The consultant said: “We review our policies every so often. As a publicly-funded organization, EdUHK is obligated to have a look at the applicable guidelines and regulations, and use its resources prudently. EdUHK is an equal possibilities enterprise and shall provide suitable advantages to its staff individuals and dependents as a long way as conceivable, situation to the guidelines and policies of the outside provider companies.”
When pressed on whether or not this coverage extends to legally married identical-sex couples, the University consultant declined to intricate: “As stated in our respond, EdUHK offers fringe advantages to workforce individuals’ spouses of felony marriage.”