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The Labour Department reminded people intending to operate an employment agency to apply for a licence or be in breach of the Employment Ordinance and liable to prosecution.
The reminder came after the department successfully prosecuted the sole proprietor of Paramount Human Resources Co, Ms Angilyn Movilla, for operating an employment agency without a licence. Ms Movilla was convicted and fined $12,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Court.
"Anyone who intends to operate a business in Hong Kong to obtain employment for another person or to supply personnel to an employer must apply for an employment agency licence and comply with Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations, whether the employment is in or outside Hong Kong," a department spokesman said today (December 23).
According to Part XII of the Employment Ordinance, operators must apply for a licence before starting an employment agency business. The licence fee, as stipulated in the Employment Agency Regulations, is $2,000 for a main office and $385 for a branch office. The maximum penalty for unlicensed operation is $50,000.
On the other hand, job-seekers are reminded to ensure that the employment agency is licensed when they seek employment through its service, regardless of whether the employment is in or outside Hong Kong.
For enquiries or complaints against employment agencies, please call the Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department on 2852 3535 or visit its office at 12th floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central.
Ends/Saturday, December 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:00
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