​The Labour Department (LD) today (May 26) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice (CoP) for EAs at all times.

     The LD has revoked the EA licence of Earnest Employment Consultants located in Causeway Bay. Prosecution was taken out against a related person of the EA for overcharging a foreign domestic helper and a bind over order was issued by the court.

     Under section 53(1)(d)(ii) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that a related person of the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO.

     "The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into effect on February 9, 2018, stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers or operating an EA without a licence, or has not complied with the CoP issued under section 62A(1) of the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.

     The LD has revoked the licences of a total of six EAs since 2020, including the above case.

     For enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about alleged malpractices, please call the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

Ends/Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:50

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