Reaching Across the Divide: Marriott International Provides Equal Opportunities to Marginalized Groups in Hong Kong
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The pandemic has disrupted the daily lives of many across the globe and for the people of Hong Kong, but for marginalized groups, it’s hit even harder. Supporting local communities where Marriott International hotels operate has been a mantra of the hospitality company, and the pandemic has not slowed down the support. In Hong Kong, the company continues its work to reach across the divide to help refugees and people with disabilities.
In collaboration with nonprofits like Dignity Kitchen (DK), Hong Chi Association and Christian Action, Marriott International in Hong Kong works together with marginalized groups to provide training and work opportunities in hospitality.
Providing training to people with disabilities
Recognizing the needs of this group, Marriott International collaborated with social enterprise Dignity Kitchen (DK) in March 2020 to provide culinary training to chefs with disabilities at the enterprise’s restaurant space in Mong Kok. The collaboration aims to enhance their culinary skills and professional capabilities.
To increase awareness of workplace inclusion, employees at Marriott International joined the team at Dignity Kitchen in its “Pay it Forward” initiative where they assisted to help pack and distribute bento boxes to underserved communities.
“At Marriott International, we recognize our global responsibility to use our scale and size as a force for good, and the meaningful role we believe we can play in creating a safe and welcoming world for all. We also have a responsibility to support diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating opportunities for our guests, partners and people in the wider community. Our collaboration with Dignity Kitchen is one of many in Hong Kong. With the pandemic impacting many of these marginalized groups, it’s important for us to lend a hand and do what we can to support them,” noted Cecilia leong, Vice President, Human Resources, Greater China at Marriott International.
Long before the pandemic, Marriott International has already been supporting marginalized groups with equal opportunities in partnership with leading nonprofits. For more than 20 years, the company worked with Hong Chi Association, a nonprofit that focuses on serving people with intellectual disabilities, to provide training and work opportunities. A special hospitality training curriculum has been designed for students from the association to develop housekeeping skills, followed by an internship experience at one of Marriott International’s hotels.
Empowering refugees with opportunities
In 2017, Marriott International and the Centre for Refugees by Christian Action started a collaboration to help integrate refugees into society, equipping them with hospitality skills and consequently hiring them. Facilitated by a solicitor referred by Christian Action, their work permits are extended every six months. This initiative provides valuable opportunities for refugees to enter the workforce.
“Embracing diversity and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, but the responsible thing to do. As a company that puts people at the core of its business, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion and hope to create a culture of belonging that will be extended into our local communities,” added Regan Taikitsadaporn, Chief Human Resources Officer at Marriott International. “Earlier this year, we signed the ‘Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers’ by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to extend our diversity and inclusion efforts. Looking ahead, we hope to explore more opportunities to foster an even more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.”
Marriott International is set to continue its efforts to support marginalized communities together with their partners, building a more inclusive workplace culture in Hong Kong.