Employment agency convicted of unlicensed operation
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The reminder came after a person was convicted and fined $5,000 for operating an EA without a valid licence at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (November 4).
In December 2015, the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD received a complaint from two foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) against the person concerned for arranging job referrals for them and overcharging them in Fanling. Investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the person had operated an EA without a licence. With the FDHs willing to act as prosecution witnesses, the LD then took out prosecution against the person.
According to the law, any establishment or person operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer is subject to the regulation of Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (EO) and the Employment Agency Regulations. Irrespective of the modus operandi or the job types involved, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities.
This is the eighth conviction under Part XII of the EO relating to overcharging or unlicensed operation this year. The other seven EAs that were convicted earlier are Marks Domestic Helper Agency Limited (located in Tsuen Wan), Ka Ying Employment Agency (located in Cheung Sha Wan), Enoch Employment Agency (located in Wan Chai), Gold Union Employment Agency (located in Fanling), Jen's Employment Agency Limited (located in Tsuen Wan), Ursula Advanced Employment Center (located in Causeway Bay) and Tamas Employment Agency (located in Tai Wai).
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operations or overcharging of commissions by EAs, please call EAA at 2115 3667 or visit its office on Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:48
Issued at HKT 16:48
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